a paucity of intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a paucity of intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack or scarcity of intelligence in a particular context, such as a discussion about decision-making or problem-solving. Example: "The committee's decisions were often criticized due to a paucity of intelligence among its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Officials said that the tussle over the intelligence operations dated from at least 2008, when some generals in Afghanistan grew angry at what they saw as a paucity of intelligence about the militant groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan who were regularly attacking American troops.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A rising lethal toll from further raids risks support rising for the Islamists and the danger of such "collateral damage" increases when there is a paucity of human intelligence from the scene.

Independent

This paucity of intelligence in all probability denotes the lull before the storm.

The Guardian

Taken together, the description of the paucity of intelligence still available to the 138,000 American troops in Iraq and the assessment of how few inroads have been made at reducing the insurgency sounded a very different note from the optimistic-sounding messages that President Bush has been sending all week about the prospects of the new Iraqi government.

The New York Times

Despite substantial electronic surveillance -- by satellites, spy planes and other means -- the military hasn't found Hussein, which critics say is because of the paucity of intelligence sources.

Los Angeles Times

They complain about a paucity of offerings.

The New York Times

A paucity of role models for women.

Harvard Business Review

"There is still a paucity of representation".

The Guardian - Film

A surfeit of descriptions, a paucity of action.

The New Yorker

In the Edwards case, there was a paucity of evidence.

The Washington Post

I received a paucity of requests for interviews.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a paucity of intelligence", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific intelligence is lacking. For example, specify "a paucity of intelligence regarding market trends" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a paucity of intelligence" in very informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "lack of smarts" or "not very bright" are more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paucity of intelligence" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating a lack or scarcity of intelligence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a paucity of intelligence" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to describe a lack or scarcity of intelligence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English, particularly in contexts requiring a degree of formality, such as news reporting, academic writing, or professional discussions. While "paucity" implies scarcity, simpler alternatives like "lack" or "shortage" are often preferred in everyday language. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the kind of intelligence being discussed. Overall, while correct, its relative rarity suggests considering the audience and context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lack of intelligence

This alternative directly replaces "paucity" with "lack", offering a simpler and more common way to express the same concept.

a shortage of intelligence

This alternative uses "shortage" to indicate an insufficient amount of intelligence, similar to "paucity".

a dearth of intelligence

Replaces "paucity" with "dearth", indicating a severe lack or scarcity of intelligence, maintaining a formal tone.

an absence of intelligence

This alternative uses "absence" to denote the non-existence of intelligence.

a scarcity of intelligence

This option replaces "paucity" with "scarcity", highlighting the limited availability of intelligence.

limited intelligence

This version offers a more concise way of expressing that intelligence is restricted or not abundant.

insufficient intelligence

This phrase stresses that the level of intelligence is not adequate for a particular purpose.

meager intelligence

The word "meager" emphasizes the small or inadequate amount of intelligence available.

a deficiency in intelligence

This alternative points out a specific defect or insufficiency in intellectual capability.

a vacuum of intelligence

Implies a complete absence of intelligence, creating a more dramatic effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a paucity of intelligence" to describe a situation where there is a lack of understanding or information. For example: "The mission failed due to a paucity of intelligence about the enemy's movements."

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

You can use alternatives like "a lack of intelligence", "a shortage of intelligence", or "insufficient intelligence" depending on the context.

Is "a paucity of intelligence" formal?

Yes, "a paucity of intelligence" is considered a more formal expression. In less formal settings, phrases like "not enough information" or "lack of understanding" might be more suitable.

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

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "a paucity of intelligence" is often perceived as more formal and emphasizes the scarcity, whereas "a lack of intelligence" is a more general and commonly used expression.