increasingly scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "increasingly scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is becoming more and more rare or difficult to find. Example: "Water resources are increasingly scarce in many parts of the world due to drought and overconsumption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Game becomes increasingly scarce.

Harvard University

Independence will become increasingly scarce.

The Guardian

Skilled workers are becoming increasingly scarce there.

The Economist

Foreign-trained specialists have become increasingly scarce.

The Economist

Jobs, food and farmland are increasingly scarce.

The New York Times

In fact, it's an increasingly scarce resource.

The Guardian

Time becomes increasingly scarce as you climb the academic ladder.

Princeton University

Food, clean water and medical assistance are all increasingly scarce.

The New York Times

Charities now have to compete for increasingly scarce resources.

The Guardian - Opinion

The best is now increasingly scarce and costly, frighteningly so.

The New York Times - Food

Volunteer ambulance crews are becoming increasingly scarce throughout the state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increasingly scarce", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is becoming rare or limited, and why. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "increasingly scarce" as a generic intensifier. Always specify what is becoming scarce and provide relevant context to support your claim. Otherwise, the phrase loses its impact and can sound vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasingly scarce" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically describing a noun that is becoming more difficult to find or obtain. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increasingly scarce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival modifier that describes something becoming rarer. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its primary function is to emphasize the growing rarity or limited availability of a resource, often to raise awareness or prompt action. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, indicating its relevance in both general and specialized discourse. While versatile, it's important to provide clear context to what is becoming scarce for maximum impact. Alternatives include "becoming rarer" and "dwindling rapidly", offering similar meanings in different shades.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming harder to find

Directly addresses the difficulty in locating or obtaining something.

becoming rarer

Focuses on the progressive decrease in occurrence or availability.

rapidly disappearing

Emphasizes the speed and finality of something vanishing.

dwindling rapidly

Emphasizes a quick and continuous reduction in something.

in diminishing quantities

Highlights the reduction in volume or amount available.

in ever shorter supply

Highlights the insufficient amount available and its continued decline.

growing more limited

Stresses the restrictions and constraints placed on something.

progressively deficient

Indicates a gradual decline in the required or expected amount.

more and more unusual

Shifts focus to the atypical and uncommon nature of something.

at a premium

Indicates something is valuable because it is rare.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "increasingly scarce" in a sentence?

To effectively use "increasingly scarce", clearly specify what is becoming rare and provide context. For instance, "Clean water is becoming "increasingly scarce" due to pollution and climate change" offers better clarity than just stating "Resources are increasingly scarce".

What are some alternatives to saying "increasingly scarce"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "becoming rarer", "dwindling rapidly", or "in ever shorter supply" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "increasingly scarce"?

While "increasingly scarce" is grammatically correct and widely used, it's crucial to ensure it fits the context. Overusing it without providing specific details can weaken your writing. Alternatives might be more suitable in certain situations.

What's the difference between "increasingly scarce" and "rare"?

"Rare" describes something that is uncommon, while "increasingly scarce" implies that something is becoming less common over time. The latter suggests a trend or progression toward scarcity.