but scarcely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but scarcely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only just true or barely the case, often in a contrasting context. Example: "He claimed to be an expert, but scarcely had he begun to speak when it became clear he lacked basic knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But scarcely a gallery was unscathed.

The New York Times - Arts

But scarcely anyone is watching.

The New York Times

Disheartened perhaps, but scarcely surprised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not Mr Bean but scarcely being.

The Guardian

Instead, the novel's two stories coexist but scarcely intersect.

The New York Times - Books

A superior craftsman, perhaps, but scarcely a real artist.

The Guardian

A sad story, but scarcely half the picture.

The New York Times - Books

But scarcely anything in the show feels like filler or fails to enthrall.

The New Yorker

Output increased steadily but scarcely boomed, averaging 2.6% in the six years to 2002.

The Economist

Memorization and familiarity have made that difficult, yes, but scarcely impossible.

The New Yorker

But scarcely had the camera shutters clicked before ambiguities came crowding back.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but scarcely", ensure the two clauses have a clear and logical connection. The contrast should be easily understood by the reader to enhance the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "but scarcely" when the contrast is weak or insignificant. The phrase implies a notable discrepancy, so ensure the two elements being compared are truly different in a meaningful way. Using "but scarcely" when the contrast isn't obvious can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but scarcely" functions as a conjunction phrase to introduce a clause that contrasts with the preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing a situation that is only marginally true or just barely the case, often highlighting an unexpected or limited degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but scarcely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction to introduce a contrasting element, indicating that something is only marginally true or just barely the case. Ludwig AI underlines its correct usage. The phrase sees prevalent use in News & Media and Science contexts, lending itself to neutral to slightly formal registers. While alternatives like "but hardly" or "but barely" exist, "but scarcely" provides a distinct nuance of minimal existence or occurrence. When using "but scarcely", ensure a significant contrast exists between the clauses to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but hardly

Replaces "scarcely" with "hardly", offering a direct synonym with minimal semantic shift.

but barely

Replaces "scarcely" with "barely", indicating a minimal degree or amount.

but only just

Replaces "scarcely" with "only just", emphasizing the narrow margin.

but just barely

Combines "just" and "barely" for added emphasis on the minimal quality.

but narrowly

Replaces "scarcely" with "narrowly", indicating a slim margin or small degree.

but almost not

Rephrases the sentiment to focus on the near absence of something.

but by a whisker

Uses an idiom to convey that something barely happened or is barely true.

but within a hair's breadth

Employs a longer, more figurative expression for a narrow escape or minimal truth.

but infrequently

Shifts focus to the low frequency or occurrence of something.

but seldom

Replaces "scarcely" with "seldom", highlighting the rarity of an event or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "but scarcely" in a sentence?

Use "but scarcely" to introduce a contrast or contradiction. For example, "He trained for months, "but scarcely" improved his time."

What phrases are similar to "but scarcely"?

Alternatives include "but hardly", "but barely", or "but only just". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "but scarcely" formal or informal?

"But scarcely" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. While grammatically sound, it may sound somewhat literary. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "but not really" may be preferable.

What's the difference between "but scarcely" and "but rarely"?

"But scarcely" emphasizes that something is only just true or barely exists, while "but rarely" focuses on the infrequency of an event. For instance, "He had the opportunity, "but scarcely" the motivation" (emphasizing lack of motivation), versus "He visited his hometown, "but rarely" stayed long" (emphasizing infrequent visits).