there is a shortfall of

USAGE SUMMARY

'there is a shortfall of' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a deficiency in some quantity, for example, "There is a shortfall of funding for research in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

With New Jersey's economy strong and new businesses, and employees, coming into the state, he estimates there is a shortfall of about 10,000 rental units.

The New York Times

This means that there is a shortfall of $3.1tn.

The Guardian

The IFS says there is a shortfall of £44bn.

The Guardian

And the Government acknowledges that there is a shortfall of 4.5 million tons.

The New York Times

Across the UK as a whole, there is a shortfall of at least 50 beds.

The Guardian

Already there is a shortfall of a fifth in wheat supplies, with more than 9.4 million Syrians needing food aid.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Crucially, there's a shortfall of the vital verbiage that arrests attention.

Independent

A survey by the National Farmers Union in May said there was a shortfall of 1,500 seasonal staff.

The Guardian

When excluding oil, there was a shortfall of 3.6% of GDP in 2007, but now it is more like 10%.

The Economist

Alas, you'd be wrong, for though blessed with license to reference any number of Disney trademarks, there's a shortfall of creativity as Mickey and co bound through an adventure you've played a hundred times before.

Independent

The report said there was a shortfall of 759 of an overall requirement of 2,325 institutional trainers who work in classrooms and on training ranges, but do not necessarily go out on combat missions with local forces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there is a shortfall of", be specific about what is lacking and the consequences of the deficiency to provide context and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid downplaying the significance of the "shortfall". Clearly articulate the potential negative impacts or consequences of the deficiency to underscore the urgency or importance of addressing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a shortfall of" functions as an existential clause introducing a statement about a deficiency or lack. It asserts the existence of a gap between what is needed or expected and what is available. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there is a shortfall of" is a commonly used phrase to denote a deficiency or lack. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and functions to highlight a gap between what is needed and what is available. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communications. Related phrases include "there is a deficit of" and "there is a lack of". When writing, it's important to be specific about the shortfall and its potential consequences to convey its importance effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is a deficit of

Uses "deficit" which implies a specific quantifiable shortage, often in financial contexts.

there is a lack of

Employs a more general term, "lack", indicating a missing or insufficient amount.

there is a shortage of

Replaces "shortfall" with "shortage", keeping the meaning of an insufficient supply.

there is an inadequacy of

Uses "inadequacy" to highlight the insufficiency or unsuitability of something.

there is an insufficiency of

Substitutes "shortfall" with "insufficiency", stressing the incompleteness or inadequacy.

there is a scarcity of

Highlights the rarity and limited availability of something, using "scarcity".

there is a paucity of

Replaces with "paucity", indicating a small or meager quantity.

resources are insufficient

Focuses on the resources and their state of being inadequate.

supply is not meeting demand

Highlights the imbalance between what is available and what is needed.

needs are unmet

Indicates that requirements or desires are not being satisfied.

FAQs

How do I use "there is a shortfall of" in a sentence?

Use "there is a shortfall of" to indicate a deficiency or lack of something. For example, "There is a shortfall of funding for education this year."

What can I say instead of "there is a shortfall of"?

You can use alternatives like "there is a deficit of", "there is a lack of", or "there is a shortage of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "there is a shortfall of" or "there is a shortage of"?

Both "there is a shortfall of" and "there is a shortage of" are correct and often interchangeable. "Shortfall" may imply a specific amount that is lacking, while "shortage" indicates a general lack.

What's the difference between "there is a shortfall of" and "there is a scarcity of"?

"There is a shortfall of" implies a specific deficiency needed to meet a demand, while "there is a scarcity of" indicates a general rarity or limited availability, not necessarily tied to a specific need.