is meager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is meager" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is small, inadequate, or lacking in quantity or quality. Here is an example sentence: The budget for the project is meager, so we will have to be creative in how we allocate our resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A good thing, because revenue is meager.

The New York Times

The wine list at present is meager.

The New York Times

Either way, the payoff is meager.

The New York Times - Tech

But the consolation is meager and the conviction erratic.

The New York Times - Books

Meanwhile, Mr. Stanford's conviction is meager consolation to Mrs. Lovil.

The New York Times

Apparently, there is meager evidence to support that, too.

The New York Times

But the evidence supporting this notion is meager.

The New York Times - Health

Most houses have no running water, and sewerage is meager.

The New York Times

Despite the importance of h for cylindrical shaped castings, information available in the literature is meager.

Materials Chemistry and Physics

Public investment in the early education of disadvantaged children is meager.

The New York Times

The payoff for the sacrifice of journalistic independence, he notes, is "meager".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is meager", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or insufficient. For example, "The evidence is meager, suggesting further research is needed."

Common error

Avoid using "is meager" when describing something that is abundant or plentiful. This creates a contradiction and confuses the reader. Instead, use it to accurately depict scarcity or inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is meager" functions as a copular verb + adjective, describing a noun's state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly expresses a condition of insufficiency or lack.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is meager" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a lack or insufficiency. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and academic writing. It's important to remember that while "is meager" effectively conveys a sense of deficiency, understanding its nuances and considering synonyms like "is scarce" or "is limited" can refine your writing. Always ensure that its usage aligns with the intended meaning of inadequacy or scarcity to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is insufficient

Highlights the inadequacy of something for a particular purpose.

is inadequate

Indicates that something does not meet the required standard or need.

is scarce

Focuses on the limited availability or insufficient quantity.

is paltry

Suggests that something is trivial or worthless due to its smallness.

is deficient

Points out a lack of something essential or necessary.

is limited

Emphasizes a restriction in amount, extent, or scope.

is nominal

Suggests that something is so small as to be almost insignificant.

is exiguous

A more formal and less common way to express that something is scanty.

is thin

Implies a lack of substance or depth, as well as quantity.

is small

A simpler and more general way to say that something is not large.

FAQs

How can I use "is meager" in a sentence?

You can use "is meager" to describe something that is lacking in quantity, quality, or extent. For example, "The funding for the project "is meager", so we need to find alternative resources."

What can I say instead of "is meager"?

You can use alternatives like "is scarce", "is limited", or "is insufficient" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is meager" in formal writing?

Yes, "is meager" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a lack or deficiency. However, consider synonyms like "is limited" or "is insufficient" if you want to avoid any perception of colloquialism.

What's the difference between "is meager" and "is scarce"?

"Is meager" emphasizes the inadequacy or poor quality of something, while "is scarce" focuses more on the limited availability or insufficient supply.