is rather scant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather scant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is limited, insufficient, or lacking in quantity or detail. Example: "The evidence provided in the report is rather scant, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And it is not quite true that people don't come over, although the list of those let in is rather scant.

The New York Times

Although these recent findings have begun to turn the attention towards graphene, the number of publications dealing with the theoretical analysis of graphene-reinforced structural elements is rather scant.

Composite Structures

At the same time, however, knowledge on senescence markers is rather scant.

Biogerontology

It is also well-documented that influenza can be transmitted in asymptomatic form without developing clinical symptoms [ 25]; while evidence for asymptomatic transmission of SARS is rather scant.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Representative Charles E. Rangel, the Harlem Democrat who is one of Mr. McCall's prominent supporters, said Mr. Cuomo's résumé was rather scant, and suggested that Mr. Cuomo might step aside this time to run under Mr. McCall for lieutenant governor.

The New York Times

Due to the difficulty in observing shirking behavior, the empirical evidence of this relationship has been rather scant.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

To the best of our knowledge, reports of desmoid tumors derived from the stomach and articles regarding spontaneous shrinkage of an intra-abdominal desmoid tumor are rather scant [10 12].

Surgical Case Reports

While there is a huge literature on the responsiveness of the PC at the local unemployment rate (see e.g. Bodo and Sestito, 1994, for Italy; more recently Gregg et al., 2014, for the UK), empirical studies on the wage PC at the local level are rather scant.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

SLACK The women's collection is still rather scant, and the sizing a bit unpredictable, but the staff will bring mountains of options, and the red velour dressing rooms need only stoves to be studio apartments.

The New York Times

As late as 1961, Rambles had never been reprinted and, as scholar Elizabeth Nitchie explained, "scant use has been made of it, and copies of it are rather scarce".

Wikipedia

The cellular types are composed of ill-defined nests and fascicles of cells, rather scant mucin and are negative to S100 and positive to vimentin and melanoma specific antigen (NK1/C-3).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather scant" to politely indicate that something is lacking without being overly critical. This phrase is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather scant" in very informal or casual conversations; simpler terms like "is little" or "is not much" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather scant" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that something is limited, insufficient, or lacking in quantity or detail. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather scant" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something as limited or insufficient. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in both scientific and news media contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. While it's appropriate for academic and professional use, remember to choose simpler alternatives like "is somewhat limited" in casual settings. When employing this phrase, you're likely conveying a polite yet clear message about the deficiency of something, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat limited

Replaces "rather scant" with a synonym that conveys a similar sense of restriction or scarcity.

is fairly minimal

Substitutes with an alternative emphasizing the small quantity or degree.

is quite sparse

Employs "sparse" instead of "scant", highlighting the scattered or thinly distributed nature.

is noticeably deficient

Uses "deficient" to underscore the lack or inadequacy.

is comparatively meager

Replaces with wording suggesting a smaller amount when compared to something else.

is not abundant

Expresses a lack of plentifulness through negation.

is hardly comprehensive

Shifts focus to completeness, indicating a lack of thoroughness.

is relatively restricted

Highlights the limited or confined nature, instead of the quantity.

is rather insignificant

Changes the focus to the low importance or value.

is not particularly extensive

Replaces the query with a more descriptive phrase that emphasizes the limited extent.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather scant" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather scant" to describe something that is limited or insufficient. For example, "The evidence for this claim "is rather scant", so we need to investigate further."

What are some alternatives to "is rather scant"?

Alternatives include "is somewhat limited", "is fairly minimal", or "is quite sparse". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "is rather scant" formal or informal?

"Is rather scant" is generally considered a semi-formal to formal expression. It's suitable for academic writing, news articles, or professional communications, but might sound out of place in very casual conversations.

What's the difference between "is rather scant" and "is very little"?

"Is rather scant" is more formal and nuanced, suggesting a deliberate scarcity or insufficiency. "Is very little" is simpler and more direct, indicating just a small quantity. Use "is very little" in informal settings and ""is rather scant"" in more formal contexts.