shortfall has been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortfall has been" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a deficiency or lack that has occurred over a period of time. Example: "The shortfall has been significant this quarter, impacting our overall revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

This may be true, but the shortfall has been trivial.

The Economist

So far, the shortfall has been made up by higher government spending and personal consumption.

The New York Times

So far, the shortfall has been covered by withdrawals from the orchestra's endowment.

The Economist

The lamb shortfall has been forecast by Eblex, which represents sheep and cattle farmers.

Independent

The shortfall has been whittled down steadily, Mr. Rasmussen said, with Canada pledging to send 90 additional trainers.

The New York Times

Deaccessioning its cultural assets to make up the shortfall has been on the table just as long.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr. Nathanson, the analyst, said that MySpace's perceived shortfall had been frustrating.

The New York Times

The projected shortfall had been $441 million, but was lowered after the toll increase in September.

The New York Times

But Mr. Orr's report said that estimated shortfall had been "substantially understated" through aggressive assumptions and other distortions.

The New York Times

Tesco suspended four executives after the chief executive, Dave Lewis, revealed in September 2014 that a shortfall had been found in the retailer's accounts relating to payments from suppliers.

The Guardian - Business

The costs to individuals and to society of this service shortfall have been shown time and again to be very significant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shortfall has been" to clearly indicate that a deficiency or lack has existed over a period, providing context for understanding the ongoing impact. For instance, "The funding shortfall has been a persistent challenge for the project."

Common error

Avoid using "shortfall has been" to describe a very recent or temporary deficit. "Shortfall" implies a sustained lack, so ensure the context reflects a deficiency that has persisted over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shortfall has been" functions as a declarative statement indicating the existence of a deficit or deficiency over a period. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use in contexts ranging from budget deficits to supply shortages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shortfall has been" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression used to describe a lack or deficiency that has persisted over time. As demonstrated by the numerous examples found by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news articles, business reports, and academic papers. It's vital to ensure the context accurately reflects an ongoing lack rather than a temporary deficit. The expression is generally neutral and suitable for professional communication. Alternatives such as "deficit has occurred" or "gap has emerged" may be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deficit has occurred

Replaces "shortfall" with "deficit", focusing on a financial discrepancy.

Gap has emerged

Substitutes "shortfall" with "gap", highlighting the appearance of a deficiency.

Deficiency is present

Uses "deficiency" instead of "shortfall", emphasizing the existence of a lack.

Lack is evident

Replaces "shortfall" with "lack", underscoring the obvious absence of something.

Insufficiency has arisen

Substitutes "shortfall" with "insufficiency", pointing to an inadequacy that has developed.

Scarcity has materialized

Uses "scarcity" instead of "shortfall", emphasizing the limited availability of something.

Inadequacy has surfaced

Replaces "shortfall" with "inadequacy", highlighting the appearance of an insufficient amount.

Discrepancy has been identified

Focuses on the discovery of a difference or inconsistency.

Variance has been noted

Emphasizes the observation of a deviation from the expected amount.

Dearth has become apparent

Highlights the emerging awareness of a significant lack.

FAQs

How can I use "shortfall has been" in a sentence?

Use "shortfall has been" to describe a situation where there is a continuing lack or deficiency. For example, "The budget "shortfall has been" addressed through spending cuts and increased revenue."

What are some alternatives to "shortfall has been"?

You can use phrases like "deficit has occurred", "gap has emerged", or "deficiency is present" as alternatives, depending on the specific context you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "shortfall has been" versus "deficit occurred"?

"Shortfall has been" emphasizes a continuing lack over time, while "deficit occurred" highlights a specific instance of a deficiency. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the duration or a singular event.

What's the difference between "shortfall" and "deficiency" in the context of "shortfall has been"?

While similar, "shortfall" often refers to a quantifiable lack, particularly in finances, whereas "deficiency" can refer to a broader lack or inadequacy. Both are suitable, but "deficiency" might be used in more general contexts.