Shortage meaning in English
Learn how to use Shortage correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
a shortage: not enough of something, a lack, a deficiency, a deficit
The shortage of food prevented us from eating healthily. There was not enough food for everyone.
There's a severe shortage of toilet paper in the bathroom today. We need to buy some more.
there is no shortage of (champagne): there is lots of (champagne), we are not lacking (champagne)
Examples
- "America is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and there's no shortage of people wanting to make big money fast, but if you're smart, you'll make your money the old-fashioned way, with hard work and dedication."
- "In early February, hungry pandas stormed the gates of their Beijing enclosure, presumably due to a bamboo shortage."
- "Messages in bottles are not the most reliable form of correspondence, but as my camp is patrolled by French guards, there is no shortage of empty wine bottles."
- "August 21st : Error message came up on the main terminal regarding a shortage of memory."
Exercise 1
"S" words! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the list below. Not all the words are used, and none is used more than once!
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online .
Arthur is a very boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online .
Arthur is a very boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
"S" words! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the list below. Not all the words are used, and none is used more than once!
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a shortage 1 of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online scam 2.
Arthur is a very smart 3 boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a scheme 4 to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a shortage 1 of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online scam 2.
Arthur is a very smart 3 boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a scheme 4 to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
1 shortage: "Shortage" is the right answer here. A "shortage" is a "lack" or "need" of something: we use this term when there is not enough of something. Here's another example: "We predict that there will be water shortages in the UK this summer".
2 scam: "Scam" is the correct answer. A "scam" is a fraudulent business scheme, which usually breaks the law to get money from people. If you receive an email from someone claiming to want to transfer money into your bank account, and saying that they need your bank details to do it, then this is probably a scam. Note that there is a related verb "to scam (someone)". Example: "My grandmother lost her life's savings to a scam: I hate people who scam little old ladies".
3 smart: "Smart" is the term we were looking for. In this context, "smart" means "clever" or "intelligent. Here's another example: "It would be smart to book your Euroscar tickets now, rather than waiting until the last minute". Note that in a different context, "smart" describes someone with a "chic", "neat", or "classy" appearance: 'You should wear smart clothes for the meeting with the Prime Minister".
4 scheme: "Scheme" is the right answer here. A "scheme" is a "project" or "plan". Unlike "scam", the noun "scheme" does not necessarily refer to something fraudulent. Another example: "I'm joining a scheme to rehabilitate young criminals".
Exercise 2
"S" words! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the list below. Not all the words are used, and none is used more than once!
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online .
Arthur is a very boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online .
Arthur is a very boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
"S" words! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the list below. Not all the words are used, and none is used more than once!
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a shortage 1 of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online scam 2.
Arthur is a very smart 3 boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a scheme 4 to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
scam | scheme | short | shady | spirit | shortage | smart
There is a shortage 1 of food in many parts of the world, while people in rich countries have too much to eat.
I don't trust this email: I think it's part of an online scam 2.
Arthur is a very smart 3 boy: he's top of his class! Unfortunately, this has also made him arrogant.
The local council is introducing a scheme 4 to encourage mothers to use reusable nappies for their babies.
1 shortage: "Shortage" is the right answer here. A "shortage" is a "lack" or "need" of something: we use this term when there is not enough of something. Here's another example: "We predict that there will be water shortages in the UK this summer".
2 scam: "Scam" is the correct answer. A "scam" is a fraudulent business scheme, which usually breaks the law to get money from people. If you receive an email from someone claiming to want to transfer money into your bank account, and saying that they need your bank details to do it, then this is probably a scam. Note that there is a related verb "to scam (someone)". Example: "My grandmother lost her life's savings to a scam: I hate people who scam little old ladies".
3 smart: "Smart" is the term we were looking for. In this context, "smart" means "clever" or "intelligent. Here's another example: "It would be smart to book your Euroscar tickets now, rather than waiting until the last minute". Note that in a different context, "smart" describes someone with a "chic", "neat", or "classy" appearance: 'You should wear smart clothes for the meeting with the Prime Minister".
4 scheme: "Scheme" is the right answer here. A "scheme" is a "project" or "plan". Unlike "scam", the noun "scheme" does not necessarily refer to something fraudulent. Another example: "I'm joining a scheme to rehabilitate young criminals".
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