shortage

Everyday

A shortage is when there is not enough of something that is needed. tree →

In the lessons

how many are missing: shortage = what is needed − what there is; in geography and science: a water shortage in a drought, a food shortage; in everyday life: a shortage of teachers or nurses; save water to help in a shortage; phrases: «a shortage of», «water shortage», «in short supply»

Examples

• There are 25 pupils and only 20 books, a shortage of 5. tree →
• The school needs 60 chairs but has 48. What is the shortage? tree →
• Because of a shortage, each child got 2 pencils instead of 3. tree →
• The shortage of water was 200 litres. tree →
• During the drought there was a water shortage. tree →
• Turn off the tap to save water during a shortage. tree →
• There is a shortage of nurses in the hospital. tree →
• A shortage of rain dried up the river. tree →

Note

Points to a difference: shortage = need − have (60 − 48 = 12). Opposite of surplus. Trap: take the smaller amount from the bigger one, not the other way round. From «short» (not enough) + -age.