is very scant

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Research on class size impact in secondary grades is very scant across the United States.

Stanford University

The literature is very scant regarding outcomes, with most studies suffering from design flaws.

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease

But this is very scant consolation for all but the most hidebound Army brass.

The Guardian

The surface roughness of these tubes affects the performance of the entire system, but the finishing technology for these tubes is very scant in manufacturing fields.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

With all good wishes…" Of the Wallersteins, he writes, "My knowledge... is very scant and doesn't go much beyond the fact that my aunt whose real name was Annie Egelhofer worked for the family for many years.

The New Yorker

The Jehol itself is replete with huge numbers of birds, but before that the avian record is very scant and the only obvious material is the famous Archaeopteryx specimens of Germany.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Even ionosonde data are very scant from geomagnetic latitudes beyond 70°.

Advances in Space Research

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, there are very scant data about the influence of this virus on the in vitro fertilization outcome.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Though these churches developed an extensive body of canon law throughout their histories, Western knowledge of their canon law has been very scant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Details are very scant with this one, but one picture suggests it will launch in Hong Kong under Vodafone.

TechCrunch

However, the available information on solidification behaviour of gas tungsten arc (GTA) welds of Super 304H and its effects on high temperature properties are very scant.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very scant", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking or insufficient. For example, "Evidence for this claim is very scant."

Common error

Avoid using "is very scant" when describing situations that merely require improvement, reserving it for situations where there is a genuine and significant deficiency. It's better to use a more nuanced phrase if it's simply 'not enough' rather than 'almost non-existent'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very scant" functions as a linking verb (is) followed by adverbs (very) and an adjective (scant). This describes the state of something, indicating that it exists in a minimal or insufficient quantity. Ludwig provides examples from scientific and news sources demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very scant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something is minimal or insufficient. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in scientific, news media, and academic contexts. While generally versatile, it's important to consider alternative phrases such as "is very limited" or "is very sparse" to achieve the most precise meaning. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately portraying a genuine lack, not simply a need for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is very limited

This alternative focuses on the restriction or constraint in quantity or scope, rather than the lack of abundance.

is very sparse

This alternative emphasizes the scattered or thinly distributed nature of something.

is very rare

This alternative highlights the infrequency of occurrence, rather than the amount available.

is very little

A more general term for a small quantity or amount.

is very minimal

Focuses on the extremely small or insignificant nature of something.

is very deficient

Emphasizes the lacking or incomplete nature, suggesting a necessary element is missing.

is in short supply

This alternative describes a situation where there is not enough of something to meet demand.

is thin on the ground

An idiomatic expression indicating scarcity or lack of availability.

is few and far between

This emphasizes the rarity and infrequency of finding something.

is hardly any

A more informal way of expressing a very small quantity.

FAQs

What does "is very scant" mean?

The phrase "is very scant" means that something is minimal or insufficient in quantity or quality. It implies a lack or scarcity of something.

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

You can use "is very scant" to describe a lack of evidence, information, resources, or anything else that can be quantified. For example, "Data on therapeutic interventions following deliberate self harm (DSH) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) "are very scant" and there is no unanimous consensus on the best pharmacological option for these patients."

What can I say instead of "is very scant"?

You can use alternatives like "is very limited", "is very sparse", or "is very rare" depending on the context.

Is "is very scant" formal or informal?

"Is very scant" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards formal due to the word 'scant'. It is used in academic, scientific, and news contexts.