I scarcely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I scarcely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a minimal degree of something, often implying that something is barely the case or hardly true. Example: "I scarcely had time to finish my homework before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I scarcely know where to begin.

The Guardian - Books

I scarcely know why I persist at all.

The New Yorker

"I scarcely had time to turn around or draw a breath," he said.

The New Yorker

"AS I sit down to write this letter, I scarcely know how to address you.

The New York Times - Books

I'd been to the city before, two years earlier, though I scarcely remembered it.

The New Yorker

As a result I scarcely saw the excellent Marcelo Gomes all season: my loss.

The New York Times - Arts

In my mind's eye, I scarcely ever lost sight of it.

The New York Times

I was so fond of him and yet I scarcely remember him from this photograph.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I scarcely think about it anymore," said Miller, who will turn 84 next month.

The New York Times - Sports

I scarcely imagined what a spirit-saver this tenuous appointment would turn out to be.

The New York Times - Travel

A deal I scarcely deserve, considering my many faults and sins".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I scarcely", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are minimizing or nearly negating. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I scarcely" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "I barely" or "I hardly" in such situations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I scarcely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the minimal extent to which an action, state, or quality applies. It modifies verbs or entire clauses to convey a sense of near-absence or infrequency, as exemplified by the Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I scarcely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that communicates a minimal degree or near absence of something. Ludwig AI data shows the expression is used across reliable and authoritative sources, most notably within news and media. While "I scarcely" may come across as a more formal expression compared to alternatives such as "I barely" or "I hardly", it is a correct and effective means of adding subtlety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I barely

Indicates a minimal amount or degree, similar to "I scarcely" but with a slightly more common usage.

I hardly

Implies a small amount or degree, closely related to "I scarcely" in meaning and usage.

I rarely

Suggests infrequent occurrence, similar to "I scarcely" in implying a low frequency.

I seldom

Indicates infrequency, closely aligned with the meaning of "I scarcely".

I almost never

Expresses a near absence of something, providing a more emphatic alternative to "I scarcely".

I virtually never

Similar to "I almost never", emphasizing the rarity of an event or action.

I practically never

Another way to convey near absence, using 'practically' to underscore the infrequency.

I little

While grammatically unconventional, this implies a minimal amount, akin to "I scarcely".

I infrequently

Directly states the lack of frequency, offering a more formal alternative.

I only just

Implies that something happened by a narrow margin, thus something is scarcely true.

FAQs

How can I use "I scarcely" in a sentence?

"I scarcely" is used to express that something is barely true or hardly the case. For example, "I scarcely had time to finish my homework" means you almost didn't have enough time.

What are some alternatives to "I scarcely"?

Alternatives to "I scarcely" include "I barely", "I hardly", or "I rarely", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "I scarcely" or "I barely"?

Both "I scarcely" and "I barely" are correct, but "I scarcely" is more formal. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing or conversation.

What's the difference between "I scarcely" and "I rarely"?

"I scarcely" emphasizes the minimal degree to which something is true or present, while "I rarely" indicates how infrequently something happens. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the degree or the frequency.