a scarce amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scarce amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or insufficient quantity of something. Example: "Due to the drought, there is a scarce amount of water available for irrigation this season."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

With a deft sense of composition, he arranged almost cinematic vignettes with a scarce amount of furniture chosen from a variety of periods: geometric brass sconces by the postwar Belgian designer Jules Wabbes, a square, patinated steel chair by the contemporary designer Franck Robichez and a creamy, undulating sofa by Pierre Paulin, originally manufactured in the late '60s.

The New York Times

However, for the thousands of students like myself who identify ourselves as the quiet students of the class, there's a scarce amount of resources that truly describe the reality many of us face at school.

Huffington Post

It may seem like a scarce amount of possessions for 6 months or more, but the funny thing is no matter what I pack, I never even use all of it!

Huffington Post

Three percent of the analyses for allergen-specific IgE-abs failed due to a scarce amount of blood.

Clinical and Experimental Allergy

The diet of individuals in region 2 consists of some vegetables (potatoes, zucchini), some meat, and a scarce amount of fruits.

BioMed Research International

Our observations remind us with those of Black and coworkers who demonstrated that in neuropathic patients there exists a decrease in fibroblast proliferation and a scarce amount of collagen accumulation within the wound bed [ 86].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Taking into consideration the scarce amount of information, the authors provide a critical discussion regarding the application of defensive medicine behaviour among vascular surgeons.

BioMed Research International

Due to its large surface area, high electrical conductivity as well as mechanical and thermal stability, pristine graphene has the potential to be an excellent support for metal nanoparticles (NPs), but the scarce amount of intrinsic chemical groups/defects in its structure that could act as anchoring sites for the NPs hinders this type of use.

Electrochimica Acta

A primary limitation associated with the present approach is the scarce amount of GSC material available for immunological monitoring of T cell responses following vaccination.

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy

From the scarce amount she told me, I knew he was a punisher.

The New Yorker

To date, scarce amount of studies have investigated whether there is a correlation between handedness and digital dermatoglyphics.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a scarce amount", ensure the context clearly establishes what resource or item is limited. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a scarce amount" when the quantity is merely limited, not truly scarce. Overstating scarcity can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scarce amount" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies exists in a limited and often insufficient quantity. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something limited.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a scarce amount" is a grammatically sound way to express that something exists in a limited quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct in written English. It's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a resource or item that is not readily available. When writing, ensure the context makes the scarcity clear. While alternatives like "a limited quantity" or "a shortage of" exist, "a scarce amount" subtly emphasizes rarity. Remember that overstating true scarcity may diminish the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited quantity

Replaces "scarce amount" with a more direct synonym using "quantity".

an insufficient quantity

Explicitly states that the amount is not enough.

a minimal quantity

Replaces "scarce" with "minimal", highlighting the smallness of the amount.

a shortage of

Emphasizes the lack or deficit implied by "a scarce amount".

a paucity of

Substitutes "scarce amount" with a more formal and emphatic term indicating scarcity.

a dearth of

Uses a less common but strong synonym for scarcity.

a trickle of

Implies a very small and slow supply, emphasizing the limited nature.

a modicum of

Suggests a very small or moderate amount, often implying barely sufficient.

a sprinkling of

Implies a very light and distributed amount, highlighting the limited quantity.

a fragment of

Suggests that the available portion is just a small piece of a larger whole.

FAQs

How can I use "a scarce amount" in a sentence?

Use "a scarce amount" to indicate that something exists in a limited or insufficient quantity. For example, "Due to the drought, there is "a scarce amount" of water available."

What are some alternatives to saying "a scarce amount"?

Alternatives to "a scarce amount" include "a limited quantity", "a shortage of", or "a paucity of", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "scarce amount" or "limited amount"?

"Scarce amount" emphasizes rarity and difficulty in obtaining, while "limited amount" simply indicates a restriction in quantity. The best choice depends on the specific context you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a scarce amount" and "a small amount"?

"A small amount" indicates quantity. While "a scarce amount" emphasizes that it is both small and difficult to obtain or find, suggesting a deficiency or undersupply. They are not interchangeable.