a scarce quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The LSV2 dataset used here included scarce quantities of LSV2-relevant data.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

[ 7- 11] The lack of support for homeopathic therapies among Western practitioners stems, in part, from the scarce quantity and perceived poor quality of homeopathic clinical research.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

"Attention here becomes the scarce quantity which is 'consumed' by that which is abundant, that is, information," says Tiziana Terranova in an insightful essay on this subject.

The Guardian

Commercial oil shale development would require not only immense financial investments but also an undetermined quantity of (scarce) water from the Colorado River basin and the construction of several multibillion-dollar power plants.

The Washington Post

So AJAM is fighting for a scarce number of eyeballs.

TechCrunch

A scarce population of bacteria from family Cl.

BMC Veterinary Research

A diamond, on the contrary, has scarce any value in use; but a very great quantity of other goods may frequently be had in exchange for it," he wrote.

The Economist

He tells a reasonable quantity of truth.

The New Yorker

That's a vast quantity of ice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Selling a large quantity of diluted cocaine powder, or a small quantity of pure cocaine?

The Guardian - Opinion

Could such a small quantity of quinine cause all this?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a scarce quantity of" when you want to emphasize that something is not just limited but also difficult to obtain or find.

Common error

Avoid using "a scarce quantity of" in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "not much" or "very little" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scarce quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that the noun it modifies exists in a limited and difficult-to-obtain amount. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a scarce quantity of" is a grammatically correct way to express that something exists in a limited and difficult-to-obtain amount. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While it can be used in various contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversations. The choice between "a scarce quantity of" and "a limited quantity of" depends on whether you want to emphasize the difficulty in obtaining the item, with "a scarce quantity of" highlighting that aspect more strongly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited amount of

Focuses on the restriction in amount, more direct.

a small quantity of

Emphasizes the diminutive size of the amount.

a paucity of

More formal, highlights the insufficiency or lack.

a dearth of

Stronger emphasis on the lack or absence.

an inadequate supply of

Focuses on the lack of sufficient provision.

a restricted quantity of

Highlights that the amount is purposefully limited.

a minimal amount of

Stresses the extremely low amount.

a trickle of

Implies a very slow and limited flow or supply.

a modicum of

Suggests a very small and often barely sufficient amount.

an insufficiency of

Highlights the lack of a required or expected amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a scarce quantity of" in a sentence?

You can use "a scarce quantity of" to describe something that is limited and difficult to find. For example, "Due to the drought, there is "a scarce quantity of" water available for irrigation".

What are some alternatives to "a scarce quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "a limited amount of", "a small quantity of", or "a paucity of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a scarce quantity of" or "scarce quantities of"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to a singular, non-countable item or multiple items. Use "a scarce quantity of" for singular, non-countable nouns (e.g., "a scarce quantity of water"). Use "scarce quantities of" for plural nouns (e.g., "scarce quantities of resources").

What's the difference between "a scarce quantity of" and "a limited quantity of"?

While both phrases suggest a restriction, ""a scarce quantity of"" emphasizes that the item is not only limited but also difficult to obtain or find, whereas "a limited quantity of" simply indicates that the amount is restricted.