a paucity of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a paucity of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a scarcity or lack of something, and can typically be used in the following way in an example sentence: "There was a paucity of evidence to support his claim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They complain about a paucity of offerings.

The New York Times

"There is still a paucity of representation".

The Guardian - Film

I received a paucity of requests for interviews.

The New York Times

A surfeit of descriptions, a paucity of action.

The New Yorker

But there is a paucity of good new buildings.

The New York Times - Magazine

There have been delays and a paucity of evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Granted, there is a paucity of competition for that role).

The Guardian - Opinion

Do their repetitions hide a paucity of ideas?

The Guardian - Music

The problem is not a paucity of rich people.

The New York Times

And there is a paucity of viable routes.

The Economist

Nor is it simply a paucity of social contacts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a paucity of" in formal writing when you want to emphasize a significant lack or scarcity, particularly in academic or professional contexts. It adds a touch of sophistication to your expression.

Common error

Avoid using "a paucity of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "a lack of" or "a shortage of" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paucity of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a lack or scarcity of something, aligning with its consistent use across examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a paucity of" is a noun phrase used to express a scarcity or lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in formal contexts such as news articles and scientific publications. While "a paucity of" is a correct and useful expression, it's best to reserve it for formal writing and speech, opting for simpler alternatives like "a lack of" in more casual settings. With its frequent presence in authoritative sources, it can be considered a good way to add sophistication in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scarcity of

This alternative directly replaces "paucity" with "scarcity", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

a dearth of

This alternative is quite formal and emphasizes a severe lack.

a shortage of

This alternative is slightly less formal than "a paucity of" but still conveys a lack or deficiency.

a deficiency of

This suggests something is not present in the required amount.

an insufficiency of

This emphasizes the inadequacy of something to meet a need.

a lack of

This is a more common and less formal way to express the same idea.

an inadequacy of

This phrase suggests that something is not sufficient or good enough.

an absence of

This phrase focuses on the complete non-existence of something.

a limited amount of

This is a more descriptive alternative, specifying the quantity.

a trickle of

Implies a very small and inadequate supply or flow of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a paucity of" in a sentence?

The phrase "a paucity of" indicates a scarcity or lack of something. For example, "There is "a paucity of evidence" to support that claim" or "The project suffered from "a paucity of funding"".

What can I say instead of "a paucity of"?

You can use alternatives like "a lack of", "a shortage of", or "a scarcity of" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "paucity in" instead of "a paucity of"?

While "paucity" can sometimes be followed by "in", it's more common and grammatically sound to use "a paucity of". For example, "There is "a paucity of resources"" is preferred over "There is paucity in resources".

What's the difference between "a paucity of" and "a plethora of"?

"A paucity of" means a scarcity or lack, while "a plethora of" means an abundance or excess. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quantity.