ever scarcer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever scarcer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is becoming increasingly rare or difficult to find over time. Example: "As resources deplete and demand rises, clean water is becoming ever scarcer in many regions of the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

In China's countryside, food became ever scarcer.

The Guardian - Books

Colleges are forced to recruit harder for ever scarcer students.

The New York Times

Competition for ever scarcer resources such as arable land and its bounty can turn ugly.

The Economist

At the same time, labor-saving devices made sweat ever scarcer.

The New York Times - Science

True and trustable selves, it would seem, are ever scarcer in a multi-platform age.

The New Yorker

There are still considerable problems, including communication weaknesses, dubious classification and national competition for ever scarcer resources.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Ever-scarcer resources require more efficient, higher turnover of patients, which can be at odds with a good patient experience, and with quality and safety.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology

One concern: as the West dries, plants in natural ecosystems could adapt by sucking up more soil moisture, competing with humans for ever-scarcer water.

Columbia University

The global economy would no longer be at the mercy of declining oil and gas reserves, and of those controlling ever-scarcer supplies of fossil energy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such efforts are the minimum necessary to hang on to ever-scarcer business travelers headed for Asia, said Kevin P. Mitchell, president of the Business Travel Coalition, which represents corporate travel departments and business fliers.

The New York Times

First makers, now menders The "take, make, dispose" economy, based on digging up ever-scarcer resources to make cheap, short-lived products, only to swiftly consign them to landfill once they break, is facing a backlash from a collection of activist "mender" groupsPedestrian observationsWalking has long rewarded contemplation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever scarcer" to describe resources, opportunities, or qualities that are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain or find. It adds emphasis to the ongoing nature of the decline.

Common error

Avoid using "ever scarcer" when simply stating something is scarce. The phrase implies a trend of diminishing availability over time, not just a current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever scarcer" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in written English. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of something becoming rare or difficult to obtain. It's used to describe a trend of diminishing availability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever scarcer" is a valid and commonly used phrase to describe something that is becoming increasingly rare or difficult to obtain, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It emphasizes a trend of diminishing availability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academic and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various audiences. To ensure correct usage, remember that it conveys a sense of ongoing decline and should not be used simply to describe something that is already scarce.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly scarce

Replaces the adverb "ever" with "increasingly", maintaining the core meaning of growing scarcity.

more and more scarce

Emphasizes the gradual increase in scarcity over time.

becoming rarer

Uses "rarer" as a synonym for "scarcer", highlighting infrequency.

steadily dwindling

Shifts from scarcity to a continuous process of reduction.

gradually diminishing

Focuses on the progressive reduction in quantity or availability.

in increasingly short supply

Describes the situation in terms of supply, emphasizing its inadequacy.

less and less abundant

Highlights the diminishing abundance of something.

on the decline

Indicates a downward trend in availability or abundance.

progressively harder to find

Focuses on the increasing difficulty in locating or obtaining something.

becoming progressively limited

Highlights the increase in the limitations of something.

FAQs

How can I use "ever scarcer" in a sentence?

You can use "ever scarcer" to describe something that is becoming increasingly rare or difficult to find. For example: "As demand increases, affordable housing is becoming "ever scarcer"."

What can I say instead of "ever scarcer"?

You can use alternatives like "increasingly scarce", "more and more scarce", or "steadily dwindling" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "ever scarcer"? Isn't "scarce" enough?

While "scarce" indicates a lack of something, ""ever scarcer"" emphasizes the ongoing process of depletion or reduction, adding a sense of urgency or increasing concern. It is not strictly redundant, but rather adds nuance.

What's the difference between "ever scarcer" and "even scarcer"?

"Ever scarcer" implies a continuous trend of diminishing availability, while "even scarcer" suggests a state that is scarcer than a previous one, but not necessarily part of an ongoing trend. "Even scarcer" is useful in a comparative context.