Collocations for "shortage"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "shortage" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
shortage
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [worker, staff, nurse, manpower] shortage
- a shortage of [workers]
- a shortage of [experienced, qualified, skilled] staff
- a [cash, fund, money] shortage
- a [supply, stock, warehouse, production] shortage
- a shortage of [water, gas, energy, food, resources]
- facing a [water] shortage
- [address, overcome] the [water] shortage
- the [water] shortage is [abating, easing, growing]
- the [water] shortage led to [fights, squabbles, arguments]
- a [general, widespread, nationwide, regional, local] shortage (of)
- a shortage of [land, property, rental apartments]
- a shortage of [fifty] dollars
- try to [cope, manage, work] with the shortage
- [succeeded, managed, came through] despite the shortage
- the shortage has [driven, forced] prices upwards
'shortage' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
acute
- bad off
- collateral
- critical
- labour
- maize
- noticeable
- persistent
- rain
- relative
- resource
- severe
- thereof
- water
- wood