Scarcely anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Scarcely anything" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that very little or almost nothing exists or occurs in a particular context. Example: "After the storm, there was scarcely anything left of the old barn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Scarcely anything is original - it's very hard to be totally inventive, so I'm not terribly interested in originality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Scarcely anything that was not a long half-volley was played attackingly on the drive, for this, he reasoned, with the ball swinging, is not a driving pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

Scarcely anything has changed in Hanapepe for decades except that the sidewalks are now empty, the store windows are bare and the little movie theater is closed.

The New York Times - Travel

Scarcely anything has been built since the independence movement finished forcing out the Portuguese in 1974 (not that the Portuguese did much to develop the country, any more than they did in Angola or Mozambique).

The New York Times - Magazine

Today the east has scarcely anything to offer in cultural terms, while the west has everything.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a counterblast to prevailing notions about age, there is scarcely anything to compare.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

His mother is an invalid, and scarcely says anything to her.

The New Yorker

I have been listening to orchestras for over 50 years and can scarcely recall anything like it.

The New York Times - Arts

"Personality," they wrote, "scarcely signifies anything more than shining white teeth and freedom from body odour and emotions".

The Guardian - Books

An Indian nuclear scientist could scarcely say anything more damning.The Indian government has argued that the deal is purely about India's energy needs.

The Economist

With the recurrence of passages (which scarcely gain anything from being read in context) such as "The loft scene was Derrick Carter, Lego, Spencer Kincy, Diz, all those cats.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely anything" to emphasize the near-complete absence of something, creating a stronger impact than simply saying "almost nothing". For instance, "After the fire, there was scarcely anything left of the building" conveys more devastation than "almost nothing was left".

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely anything" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "almost nothing" or "hardly anything" for a more relaxed tone. "Scarcely anything" tends to sound overly formal or literary in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely anything" functions as a quantifier, indicating a minimal or near-absent quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase modifies a noun, emphasizing the lack or insignificance of that noun. For example, "Scarcely anything has changed."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcely anything" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the near absence of something. Ludwig AI validates its proper use. Although not as common as alternatives like "almost nothing", it provides a subtle emphasis on the lack of quantity. Primarily found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When using "scarcely anything", consider its slightly formal tone to ensure it fits the overall style of your writing. Overuse of it in informal settings can sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Replaces "scarcely" with "almost", emphasizing the near absence.

hardly anything

Uses "hardly" instead of "scarcely", a common synonym for minimal existence.

barely anything

Employs "barely", indicating a very small amount or degree.

virtually nothing

Substitutes "scarcely" with "virtually", suggesting something is nearly nonexistent.

next to nothing

Idiomatic expression indicating a very small amount or value.

practically nothing

Similar to "virtually nothing", implying a negligible amount.

little to no

More formal phrasing indicating a lack of something.

a small amount of

Expresses a limited quantity in a more descriptive way.

a minimal amount of

Highlights the extremely small quantity.

very little

Simple and direct way to express a small quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "scarcely anything" to indicate that almost nothing exists or occurs. For example, "After the economic downturn, there was "scarcely anything" left of the town's former prosperity."

What is a good alternative to "scarcely anything"?

Alternatives include "almost nothing", "hardly anything", or "barely anything", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "scarcely anything" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scarcely anything" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to express a minimal quantity or near absence of something.

What's the difference between "scarcely anything" and "nothing"?

"Scarcely anything" suggests that there might be a very small amount or trace of something, whereas "nothing" implies a complete absence. For example, "There was "scarcely anything" in the fridge" suggests there was very little food, while "There was nothing in the fridge" indicates it was completely empty.