is relatively scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is relatively scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not abundant or is limited in availability compared to other things. Example: "In this region, fresh water is relatively scarce, making conservation efforts crucial."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And electricity is relatively scarce.

The New Yorker

Among other problems, irrigation — which was key to the Green Revolution — is relatively scarce in Africa.

The New York Times

Ace cartoonists like Steve Bell, Peter Brookes and Chris Riddell draw on a lengthy tradition of caricature and licensed malice to maintain their high level of savage comment week after week, but generally in the field of popular culture, real satire is relatively scarce.

The Guardian - Film

Research on the effects of yoga on prisoners is relatively scarce, but incarcerated women who completed a 12-week regimen of yoga classes twice a week showed "a significant linear decrease" over time in their symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to a 2010 paper in the journal Nursing Research.

The New York Times

In vivo metabolism data of galangin is relatively scarce.

Chemistry Central Journal

Reliable data on phone theft is relatively scarce.

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rentals, too, are relatively scarce.

The New York Times

Though ours was hardly a chaste relationship, real intimacy was relatively scarce.

The New Yorker

That means homes are relatively scarce and the market has built-in limits, driving up prices.

The New York Times

But with the country still mired in a depression, such investors are relatively scarce.

The New York Times

Quality stocks may be doing so well because they are relatively scarce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is relatively scarce", ensure you provide context to what it is being compared to. This makes the statement more meaningful and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively scarce" as a general statement without specifying what the scarcity is relative to. For instance, instead of saying "Resources are relatively scarce", specify, "Compared to demand, resources are relatively scarce."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively scarce" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating that it exists in limited quantities or is not as abundant as expected. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to describe limited availability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is relatively scarce" is a versatile expression used to describe the limited availability or infrequency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context to what the scarcity is relative to, enhancing clarity and impact. Avoid overuse without specific reference points to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "is comparatively limited" or "is somewhat uncommon" can offer nuanced variations. Its presence in reputable sources and its grammatical correctness underscore its reliability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is comparatively limited

Replaces "relatively scarce" with "comparatively limited", emphasizing the comparison to other things.

is rather limited

Emphasizes the restriction in quantity or availability.

is somewhat uncommon

Uses "somewhat uncommon" to suggest a lower frequency or availability.

is in short supply

Indicates that the item or concept is not available in abundance.

is not abundant

Directly states that the item or concept is not plentiful.

is sparsely available

Highlights the limited and infrequent availability.

is thinly distributed

Suggests that the item or concept is spread out and not densely concentrated.

is infrequent

Focuses on the low frequency of occurrence.

is hard to come by

Indicates that obtaining the item or concept requires effort or is difficult.

is at a premium

Suggests that the item or concept is valuable due to its limited availability.

FAQs

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

You can use "is relatively scarce" to describe something that exists in smaller quantities compared to something else or compared to the demand for it. For example, "Data on this topic "is relatively scarce", making research difficult."

What's a good alternative to "is relatively scarce"?

Alternatives include "is comparatively limited", "is somewhat uncommon", or "is in short supply" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is relatively scarce"?

Yes, "is relatively scarce" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "is relatively scarce" imply?

The phrase implies that something exists in a limited quantity or is not as abundant as one might expect or desire. It indicates a condition of deficiency or limited availability compared to a norm or benchmark.