is scarcely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is scarcely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is only just the case or hardly true. Example: "The project is scarcely finished, as there are still many details to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Europe is scarcely better.

The Economist

But this is scarcely consolation.

The New York Times

His record is scarcely perfect.

The New Yorker

And he is scarcely alone.

The New York Times

Australia is scarcely more generous.

The Economist

Inflation is scarcely a worry.

The Economist

This is scarcely unthinkable.

The Guardian

Which is scarcely possible, in any case.

The New York Times

But the alternative is scarcely more appealing.

The Economist

Business is scarcely better off the course.

The Economist

That is scarcely a life.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is scarcely", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or expectation is being nearly missed. This provides clarity and impact.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is scarcely" tends to sound formal. In casual conversation, consider using alternatives like "is barely" or "is hardly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is scarcely" functions as an adverbial modifier, limiting the degree or extent of the verb it accompanies. It indicates that something is true or present to a minimal extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is scarcely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate something is only marginally true or present. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's considered correct in contemporary English. While adaptable across diverse contexts, its formality tends to align better with neutral to professional writing. For more informal settings, "is barely" or "is hardly" may prove more apt. The linguistic analysis shows that its purpose is to express a near-negation or limitation. The phrase's occurrence is notably frequent in news and media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is barely

Indicates a minimal margin or degree, similar to "is scarcely" but perhaps implying a slightly smaller margin.

is hardly

Emphasizes the improbability or difficulty of something, closely mirroring the meaning of "is scarcely".

is just barely

Adds emphasis to the marginal nature of something, intensifying the meaning of "is scarcely".

is only just

Highlights the narrowness of a margin or the lateness of an occurrence, similar to "is scarcely".

is almost not

Expresses a near absence or negation, conveying a similar sense of minimal presence as "is scarcely".

is not quite

Indicates that something falls short of a certain standard or expectation, akin to the limiting sense of "is scarcely".

is marginally

Highlights that something only exists by a small margin.

is by no means

Highlights that something does not exist or have a small relevance

is remotely not

Highlights that something does not exist and will not in future.

is negligibly

Indicates something is insignificant or inconsequential.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is scarcely" indicates that something is true only to a small degree or by a narrow margin. For example, "The project "is scarcely finished", as there are still many details to address".

What are some alternatives to "is scarcely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is barely", "is hardly", or "is only just".

Is "is scarcely" more formal than "is barely"?

Yes, "is scarcely" tends to be more formal than "is barely". In informal settings, "is barely" often sounds more natural. Use "is scarcely" in formal and academic contexts.

What's the nuance between "is scarcely" and "is hardly"?

"Is scarcely" emphasizes the small degree to which something is true, while "is hardly" emphasizes the improbability. For instance, "The evidence "is scarcely convincing"" suggests the evidence is weak, whereas "The evidence "is hardly convincing"" suggests it's unlikely to persuade anyone.