a scarce commodity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scarce commodity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is in limited supply or hard to find. Example: "In today's market, clean water is becoming a scarce commodity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But worry is a scarce commodity.

The New York Times

Space itself is a scarce commodity.

The New York Times - Arts

In Britain, donor sperm is a scarce commodity.

The Guardian

"It has elements of a scarce commodity," he said.

The New York Times

But joy, or even basic satisfaction, remains a scarce commodity.

The New York Times

Others say prison should be seen as a scarce commodity.

The Economist

"The question is how do you ration a scarce commodity, which is space at universities".

The New York Times

Second, public resources, including aid, are a scarce commodity and need to be used effectively.

The Guardian

Greatness is a scarce commodity, parcelled out only grudgingly or not at all.

The Guardian - Sport

Electronic connections of any kind are indeed a scarce commodity in Afghanistan.

The New York Times - Tech

But despite these moves, commercial acumen remains a scarce commodity in Whitehall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a scarce commodity", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the commodity scarce, providing specific details or examples to strengthen your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "a scarce commodity" in situations where the scarcity is obvious or already implied. For example, instead of saying "During the drought, water was a scarce commodity", try "The drought made water even more precious."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scarce commodity" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It describes a noun, indicating that it is limited in availability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a scarce commodity" is a versatile phrase used to describe something limited in availability and often highly valued. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business writing. When using this phrase, it's best to provide context explaining the scarcity. Alternatives include "a limited resource" and "something in short supply", but "a scarce commodity" is generally suitable for neutral to formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited resource

Replaces "commodity" with "resource", emphasizing the finite nature of the item.

a rare find

Focuses on the difficulty of discovering or obtaining the item.

a precious resource

Emphasizes the high value and limited availability.

a dwindling supply

Highlights the decreasing availability over time.

an uncommon item

Indicates that the item is not frequently encountered.

a deficient asset

Highlights the lack or inadequacy of the asset.

a limited quantity

Focuses on the small amount available.

something in short supply

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the amount available to meet demand.

a valuable but limited asset

Highlights the high value, yet limited availability.

a hard-to-come-by item

Focuses on the difficulty to obtain.

FAQs

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

You can use "a scarce commodity" to describe anything that is limited in supply or difficult to obtain. For example: "In the desert, water is "a scarce commodity"."

What can I say instead of "a scarce commodity"?

You can use alternatives like "a limited resource", "a rare find", or "something in short supply" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a scarce commodity" in formal writing?

While generally suitable for formal writing, ensure the context warrants the term's gravity. Simpler terms like "limited" or "rare" might be more appropriate in less critical scenarios.

What distinguishes "a scarce commodity" from "a valuable resource"?

"A scarce commodity" emphasizes the limited availability, whereas "a valuable resource" highlights its importance or worth, irrespective of its abundance. Something can be valuable but not necessarily scarce, and vice versa.