Scant details

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Scant details" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is very little information or insufficient details provided about a subject. Example: "The report was submitted with scant details, making it difficult to draw any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scant details have emerged from the Geneva talks.

The Guardian

Scant details have emerged about Danley's relationship with Paddock.

Huffington Post

Scant details have survived regarding the criteria used by the Portuguese government in its selection of Cabral as head of the India expedition.

Wikipedia

Police have released scant details.

The Washington Post

Again, he provides scant details on how to get there.

The Washington Post

The U.S. Department of State's Web site offered scant details.

The New Yorker

However, scant details are available for these neuronal populations in humans.

Neuroscience

Governments have reported scant details of how they have spent the money from these loans.

The New York Times

Management has given scant details, other than saying that the company's lenders will participate.

The Washington Post

The government has also offered scant details on how its economic plan would be financed.

The New York Times

Given the scant details we know about his life, it's probably inevitable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant details" when you want to emphasize that the information available is not only limited but also perhaps insufficient to draw firm conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "scant details" if you're merely stating that information is concise. The phrase carries a connotation of inadequacy or incompleteness, not just brevity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant details" functions as a noun phrase, where "scant" modifies the noun "details". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used to describe situations where information is lacking or insufficient. This is reflected in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scant details" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe situations where information is limited and potentially inadequate. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, serving to highlight deficiencies in available data. Alternatives such as "limited information" or "sparse details" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context justifies the implication of insufficiency, rather than mere conciseness. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, where 'scant' modifies 'details', and it generally maintains a neutral register appropriate for factual reporting and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Little information

A straightforward way to express the lack of data.

Limited information

Focuses on the restricted amount of information available.

Sparse details

Emphasizes the thin or scattered nature of the information.

Minimal details

Emphasizes the extremely small amount of detail provided.

Meager details

Highlights the inadequacy or poor quality of the details.

Few particulars

Stresses the absence of specific information.

Incomplete information

Highlights that the information is not whole or finished.

Sketchy details

Implies the details are incomplete and possibly unreliable.

Limited specifics

Focuses on the lack of precise or detailed points.

Fragmentary details

Suggests the details are broken into small, disconnected pieces.

FAQs

How can I use "scant details" in a sentence?

You can use "scant details" to indicate that there is very little information available about something. For example, "Scant details have emerged from the investigation."

What's a good alternative to "scant details"?

Alternatives include "limited information", "sparse details", or "few particulars". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "scant details" or "few details"?

"Scant details" emphasizes the insufficiency or inadequacy of the information, while "few details" simply indicates a small number of details. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the lack of sufficient information or just the small quantity. Consider if you want to add negative connotations to your phrase.

Can "scant details" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "scant details" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing investigations, reports, or official statements where information may be deliberately or inadvertently limited.