For movement to market equilibrium and for changes in equilibrium, price and quantity also change at the margin: more-or-less of something, rather than necessarily all-or-nothing.

This can be seen in the economics lexicon: terms like labour force, market equilibrium, capital flows, and price elasticity.

Wages kept artificially high, by imposing any administrative or monetary costs on employers distorts the labour market equilibrium.

In most cases, a shortage will compel firms to increase the price of a product until it reaches market equilibrium.

In this case, the market equilibrium in the steel industry will not be optimal.