is rather scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is limited in availability or not commonly found. Example: "In this region, fresh water is rather scarce, making it essential to conserve what we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

On the other hand, information on their small scale fracture behaviour is rather scarce.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The scientific literature of factors influencing sensory quality of wholegrain foods is rather scarce.

Trends in Food Science & Technology

However, the literature is rather scarce and more importantly, often contradictory.

Brain Research

Thus research on PBL problem design is rather scarce and unsystematic.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

While national statistics are abundant, more detailed and timely subnational or place-based data is rather scarce (Kleibrink and Mateos, 2017).

Nature

In spite of their significant hazard for persons and infrastructure in mountainous regions, research on hillslope debris flows is rather scarce in comparison to other landslide types.

Geomorphology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

However, available experimental data are rather scarce.

Building and Environment

Prospective randomized studies are rather scarce, particularly when considering the inclusion of untreated control population.

Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité

They are present in all organisms, but their origin is probably polyphyletic, so that MT evolutionary studies are rather scarce.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

However, because the drought events have been rather scarce the Vr values were considered oversized and replaced by optimal volumes.

Science of The Total Environment

Although numerical skills have proven to be important precursors for mathematical proficiency, longitudinal studies on numerical development are rather scarce.

Learning and Individual Differences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather scarce", consider the audience and context. In formal writing, it's suitable for academic papers or reports where you need to indicate a limited availability of information, resources, or data.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather scarce" when the subject is virtually nonexistent. A more accurate descriptor like "is virtually absent" or "is nonexistent" may be more appropriate if the thing you're describing is almost completely unavailable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather scarce" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is limited in availability or quantity. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in academic and scientific contexts to highlight the paucity of data or research on a given topic. The Ludwig AI affirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather scarce" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that something is limited or not commonly found. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently used in formal and scientific writing to highlight a scarcity of information, data, or resources. While alternatives exist for different contexts, this phrase effectively conveys a limitation and encourages further investigation. When writing, consider whether an even stronger statement of scarcity may be more accurate, and adapt the language to fit the formality of your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat limited

Indicates a slight reduction in availability or quantity, similar to "is rather scarce".

is fairly infrequent

Emphasizes the lack of frequent occurrence, aligning with the concept of scarcity.

is quite uncommon

Highlights the unusual nature or rarity, comparable to "is rather scarce".

is notably deficient

Stresses the insufficient amount or lack, akin to the idea of scarcity.

is in short supply

Implies a limited availability or insufficient quantity.

is thinly distributed

Suggests that something is spread out sparsely, making it hard to find in large quantities.

is seldom encountered

Highlights the rarity of encountering something, echoing the scarcity.

is not abundant

Directly states that something is not plentiful, reflecting its scarcity.

is few and far between

Emphasizes the rarity and separation of occurrences, comparable to scarcity.

is seldom found

Indicates that something is not usually found, highlighting its scarcity.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather scarce" to indicate that something is limited or not readily available. For example, "Data on long-term effects "is rather scarce", necessitating further research."

What's the difference between "is rather scarce" and "is rare"?

"Is rare" generally implies that something is uncommon or infrequent. "Is rather scarce" suggests that something exists but in a limited quantity or availability. Consider ""is rather scarce"" when emphasizing limited access or supply, compared to general infrequency.

What are some alternatives to "is rather scarce"?

Alternatives include "is somewhat limited", "is fairly infrequent", or "is quite uncommon". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is rather scarce" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is rather scarce" leans toward formal and academic writing. In informal contexts, consider alternatives like "is not very common" or "is hard to find" for a more conversational tone.