grow scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

'grow scarce' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which something is becoming less available. For example, "As the summer season ends, jobs start to grow scarce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Gradually the snow starts to grow scarce, though the mountains remain just as high.

The Guardian - Travel

As openings in other schools grow scarce, parents are becoming anxious.

The New York Times

Russia has a nasty habit of gouging neighbors when gas or grain grow scarce.

The New York Times

As subtitled movies grow scarcer on American screens, the traditional signifiers of snobbery grow scarce.

The New York Times

As known supplies grow scarce and the burden of production falls on fewer and fewer countries, international disputes and even violent conflicts are a distinct, frightening possibility.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But in winter, humans grow scarce, people feel isolated, they crave a place to see fellow humans, and this becomes their town center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Water is indeed scarce in many places, and will grow scarcer.

The Economist

As the primes get larger, they grow scarcer and the distances between them, the gaps, grow wider.

The New Yorker

Provide compensatory wage insurance for the many workers forced to take lower-paying jobs as middle-income jobs grow scarcer.

The Washington Post

Amid glassy condo towers, [cholas] grow scarcer on the sidewalks, reappearing hatless, as nannies and inexpert walkers of upper-class dogs.

The New York Times - Magazine

The world's success in preventing damaging climate change will depend on how it gets its energy over coming decades, as conventional oil and gas grow scarcer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow scarce" to describe resources, opportunities, or even abstract concepts that are becoming less available or common over time. For example, "As technology advances, certain job skills may 'grow scarce'.

Common error

Avoid using "grow scarce" when you simply mean something is 'expensive'. While scarcity can drive up prices, "grow scarce" specifically refers to the availability, not necessarily the cost. For example, saying "housing has 'grown scarce'" implies there are fewer houses available, not just that they've become more expensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow scarce" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, describing a state of diminishing availability or abundance. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from resources to opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow scarce" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a diminishing supply or availability, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and academic contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. When using "grow scarce", remember that it specifically refers to availability, not just price. Alternatives like "become rare" or "diminish in supply" can offer similar meanings, but choose the one that best fits the specific context. Being aware of these nuances will allow you to use the phrase "grow scarce" accurately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become rare

Indicates that something is uncommon and difficult to find.

be in short supply

Highlights a situation where there is not enough of something.

become limited

Focuses on the restriction of quantity or availability.

decline in availability

Focuses on the reduction of accessibility.

diminish in supply

Highlights the reduction of the amount available.

dwindle in number

Emphasizes the reduction in quantity over time, specifically referring to countable items.

lessen in abundance

Highlights the reduction of plentifulness.

become depleted

Suggests that a resource is being exhausted or used up.

shrink in quantity

Focuses on the reduction of the number of something countable.

decrease in frequency

Emphasizes the reduction of occurrence over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow scarce" to describe a diminishing supply or availability of something. For example, "As the drought continued, water began to grow scarce" or "Opportunities grew scarce during the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "grow scarce"?

Some alternatives include "become rare", "diminish in supply", or "be in short supply". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something "grows scarcer"?

Yes, "grows scarcer" is a grammatically correct comparative form, implying a continuing trend. For instance, "As resources deplete, water grows scarcer".

What's the difference between "grow scarce" and "become limited"?

"Grow scarce" suggests a gradual decline in availability due to factors like depletion or increased demand. "Become limited" can refer to a fixed or imposed restriction, not necessarily a natural decrease.