data is scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "data is scarce" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that there is not a lot of information or evidence available on a certain topic or issue. Example: In the field of climate change, data is scarce due to limited funding and resources for research.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Industrywide data is scarce.

The New York Times

Recent data is scarce, but estimates suggest that 35% of the population lives in poverty.

The Guardian

Mr. Thompkins says comparable-sales data is scarce, and prices can be hard to predict.

The New York Times

In setting out the arguments for and against, hard economic data is scarce and ambiguous, hinging thus far on three questions.

The New York Times

Mr. Rove, who at least based his opinion on polling averages, admits that data is scarce in some states.

The New York Times

But many child welfare advocates and officials in government and law enforcement say that while the data is scarce, they believe that the problem of prostituted children has grown, especially as the Internet has made finding clients easier.

The New York Times

Indeed, it is hard to judge the merits of most of the government's 99 separate transition programmes, as performance data is scarce and coordination is minimal.These problems hit the youngest veterans the hardest.

The Economist

Mark Publicover, founder and president of the trampoline manufacturer JumpSport, based in San Jose, Calif., said increasing use of safety nets around trampolines may have contributed to the falling injury rate, though experts caution that data is scarce regarding the use of purported safety equipment and its effects on injury rates and patterns.

The New York Times

However, actual data is scarce.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Real and accurate carbon data is scarce.

Pastoralism

However, to date, available data is scarce.

Progress in Orthodontics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "data is scarce", clearly indicate what type of data is lacking and the specific context. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid making definitive claims or drawing strong conclusions when "data is scarce". Instead, acknowledge the limitations and suggest areas for further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data is scarce" functions as a statement indicating a lack of available information on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "data is scarce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of available information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile across scientific, news, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify what kind of data is lacking to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "information is limited" or "evidence is sparse" to add nuance. While prevalent, remember to avoid overstating conclusions when "data is scarce", acknowledging the limitations instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

information is limited

Focuses on the limited availability of information, similar to the original phrase.

information is lacking

Emphasizes the absence of information, closely mirroring the meaning of "data is scarce".

evidence is sparse

Highlights the lack of substantial evidence, sharing the core concept of scarcity.

research is limited

Focuses specifically on the limited amount of research available on a topic.

information is unavailable

Indicates that information cannot be obtained or is not accessible.

limited data exists

Reverses the structure but maintains the core meaning regarding the restricted existence of data.

there's a paucity of data

Uses "paucity" to denote a small or insufficient quantity of data.

little data is available

Expresses the scarcity by emphasizing the small amount of data that can be found.

data is wanting

Uses 'wanting' to signify a lack or deficiency in available data.

the data is exiguous

Replaces 'scarce' with the more formal synonym 'exiguous' to convey scarcity.

FAQs

What does "data is scarce" mean?

The phrase "data is scarce" indicates that there is a limited amount of information or evidence available on a particular topic. This can mean that research is lacking, or that existing data is difficult to access or unreliable.

How can I use "data is scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "data is scarce" to explain a lack of understanding or certainty about a subject. For example: "While there are anecdotal reports, "data is scarce" regarding the long-term effects of this treatment."

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

You can use alternatives like "information is limited", "evidence is sparse", or "research is limited" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "data is scarce" in formal writing?

Yes, "data is scarce" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to express the limited availability of information on a given subject. However, ensure that you provide context about which data is scarce and what the implications are.