fairly scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not abundant or is limited in quantity, but to a moderate extent. Example: "The resources in that region are fairly scarce, making it difficult for the community to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Such rights are fairly scarce now, she said.

The New York Times

Studies on adults, while still fairly scarce, are more common.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The only downside, Mr. Zimmer said, is that trains are fairly scarce late at night.

The New York Times

Oxygen remained fairly scarce for the next few hundred million years.

The New York Times - Science

which President Bush mentioned last week, is Russia's vast energy sector, where foreign involvement has so far been fairly scarce.

The New York Times

British travel posters, most of them commissioned by the railways, are particularly popular because they are beautiful and fairly scarce.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

They can cultivate the reciprocal trust and social norms needed to allocate scarce resources fairly.

Forbes

Sharing our scarce resources fairly and protecting the global Commons for us all are two essential ways to achieve a green and more peaceful world.

Huffington Post

That system worked fairly well while money was scarce, and the banks were correspondingly powerful.

The Economist

Hence, correct receiver feedback (in the form of TCP acknowledgements) is essential to the goal of sharing the scarce bandwidth resources fairly and avoiding congestion collapse in the Internet.

Computer Networks

That won't fly for attractive listings that are particularly scarce, especially if they are priced fairly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects that are not common but can still be found, "fairly scarce" helps to communicate a nuanced sense of rarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly scarce" when describing something that is completely unavailable or virtually nonexistent. Use stronger terms like "nonexistent" or "completely absent" in such cases to accurately reflect the level of scarcity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly scarce" functions as a descriptive modifier, specifically as an adverb-adjective combination. It is used to qualify the degree to which something is limited or rare. As Ludwig AI states, it is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly scarce" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is not abundant but not entirely absent either. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to indicate a moderate degree of limitation. It's found most frequently in news, scientific and wiki articles. Alternatives include "relatively limited", "somewhat uncommon", and "moderately rare". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of scarcity and avoid overstating the lack of availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively limited

Emphasizes the comparative aspect of the limitation.

somewhat uncommon

Highlights the infrequency of occurrence.

moderately rare

Focuses on the rarity to a certain degree.

not particularly abundant

Emphasizes the lack of abundance.

in relatively short supply

Highlights the limited supply or availability.

rather infrequent

Stresses the low frequency of something.

somewhat deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage to some extent.

not especially plentiful

Emphasizes that something is not abundant.

reasonably uncommon

Suggests a degree of infrequency that is reasonable or expected.

not notably profuse

Emphasizes the absence of a large quantity or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly scarce" to describe something that is not abundant or easily found. For example, "Job opportunities in this field are "fairly scarce" in the current economic climate".

What's the difference between "fairly scarce" and "very scarce"?

"Fairly scarce" indicates a moderate degree of scarcity, while "very scarce" implies a much higher level of rarity or unavailability. "Fairly scarce" suggests that something is available but not easily so, whereas "very scarce" means it's extremely difficult to find or obtain.

What are some alternatives to using "fairly scarce"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "relatively limited", "somewhat uncommon", or "moderately rare".

Is it appropriate to use "fairly scarce" in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly scarce" is appropriate in formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe something that is not abundant without being overly dramatic. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it's the most suitable term.