data are scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data are scarce" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where there is a lack of available information or evidence. Example: "Investigating the effects of climate change on polar bears is challenging because data on their population and behavior are scarce."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reliable data are scarce, partly because cheaters tend to be untrustworthy on the subject of their cheating, and partly because people disagree on what qualifies as a cheat.

The New Yorker

Also clinical data are scarce.

Annals of Intensive Care

Long-term virological data are scarce.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Elasticity estimates based on household data are scarce.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Osteoarthritis (OA) epidemiologic data are scarce in Europe.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Comparison of our results to other studies was difficult, as studies using EMS data are scarce.

Injury Epidemiology

Data are scarce for verifying burn severity of the Alaskan fires in 2004.

Carbon Balance and Management

Unfortunately, bromide was not often analyzed routinely; thus, Cl/Br ratio data are scarce.

Geothermal Energy

Local data are scarce and it is difficult to obtain needed data in published reports.

Health Economics Review

Stricter limits have been recommended to enhance quality and safety, although supporting data are scarce.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Preeclampsia is associated with elevated plasma malondialdehyde concentration, but prospective data are scarce.

Clinical Biochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "data are scarce", specify the type of data you are referring to for clarity. For example, "clinical trial data are scarce" is more informative than simply "data are scarce".

Common error

Avoid using "data are scarce" when you actually mean the data is unreliable or of poor quality. Scarcity refers to the amount of data available, while quality refers to its accuracy and validity. You might have abundant but unreliable data, or scarce but highly accurate data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data are scarce" functions as a statement expressing the limited availability of information. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various academic and scientific contexts to highlight gaps in research or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

81%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "data are scarce" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and formal contexts. It serves to highlight a lack of available information, often justifying limitations in research or prompting further investigation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted and understood, though specifying the type of data can enhance clarity. When writing, remember that "data are scarce" refers to the quantity of information, not its quality; ensure your usage reflects this distinction. While alternatives like "information is limited" exist, "data are scarce" remains a direct and effective way to convey the limited availability of data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data are limited

Synonymous; replaces "scarce" with a direct equivalent.

limited data available

Adds "available" to emphasize accessibility of the limited data.

the data is sparse

Uses "sparse" instead of "scarce"; singular form of 'data'.

few data exist

Emphasizes the existence of "data", rather than its abundance.

information is limited

Replaces "data" with "information" and uses "limited" instead of "scarce".

information is scant

Replaces "data" with "information" and "scarce" with "scant", slightly more formal.

data are deficient

Uses "deficient" to indicate incompleteness or inadequacy of data.

evidence is lacking

Shifts focus to "evidence" rather than "data", implying a more formal context.

reliable data is uncommon

Focuses on the reliability of data being uncommon rather than the quantity.

resources are limited

Broader term; implies limitations not just in data but in other areas.

FAQs

How to use "data are scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "data are scarce" to indicate a lack of available information on a particular topic. For instance, "Longitudinal data on the effects of this treatment are scarce, making it difficult to assess long-term outcomes."

What can I say instead of "data are scarce"?

You can use alternatives like "information is limited", "few data exist", or "limited data available" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "data is scarce"?

While "data" is technically plural, it's increasingly common to see it used as a singular noun, especially in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, it's generally preferable to use the plural form: "data are scarce."

What's the difference between "data are scarce" and "data are unreliable"?

"Data are scarce" means there isn't much data available. "Data are unreliable" means the data exists but isn't trustworthy. The terms aren't interchangeable; scarcity refers to quantity, while unreliability refers to quality.