is very scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when something is in short supply and there is not enough of it. For example: "Fresh water in the region is very scarce, so it's important to conserve what little we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Liquor, except beer is very scarce.

The New Yorker

However, surface water is very scarce on the Arabian peninsula, necessitating innovative solutions to water collection.

The Guardian

Rainfall is very scarce in the mountains, and wide areas are devoid of vegetation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plan is not uncommon along the Atlantic Seaboard, where, as Ms. Dogon noted, undeveloped land is very scarce.

The New York Times

"We concluded that if migration occurs then it is very scarce," says Alvarez-Buylla, "and that cells are not forming large bundles that migrate to the olfactory bulb".

The Guardian

Indium is very scarce and expensive material.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Unfortunately, evidence based on this topic is very scarce.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

When the illumination is very scarce, thermal imagery may help.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

When it comes to ancient primates in the Americas, the fossil record is very scarce.

Science Magazine

This problem is particularly crucial for the wireless network environments since the bandwidth is very scarce.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

So far, no significant safety issues have been raised but clinical experience is very scarce.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very scarce", ensure the context clearly establishes what is lacking. For example, "clean water is very scarce" provides more clarity than just "things are very scarce".

Common error

Avoid using "is very scarce" in general statements without specifying what exactly is scarce. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact. Instead of saying "resources are very scarce", specify "financial resources are very scarce for this project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very scarce" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a significant lack or limited availability of a particular resource, item, or concept. Ludwig examples show its use in scientific, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very scarce" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is in short supply. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate a limited quantity or availability. It frequently appears in scientific and news contexts, as shown in the examples, signaling the need for attention to resources or concepts that are lacking. For alternative phrasing, consider "is in short supply" or "is extremely limited". When writing, ensure the context clearly defines what is scarce to enhance clarity and avoid vague statements. The analysis indicates that the phrase is widely understood and appropriate for various registers, although it's particularly prevalent in science and news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in short supply

Emphasizes a current lack of availability.

is extremely limited

Highlights the restricted quantity or extent.

is severely lacking

Focuses on the deficiency or absence.

is practically nonexistent

Suggests a near absence of something.

is as rare as hen's teeth

Uses an idiom to convey extreme rarity.

is thin on the ground

Indicates a sparse or inadequate presence.

is few and far between

Implies infrequent occurrences or availability.

is difficult to come by

Highlights the challenge in obtaining something.

is like gold dust

Implies scarcity and high value.

is at a premium

Indicates high demand and limited supply.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is very scarce" indicates that something is limited in availability. For example, "During the drought, water "is very scarce"".

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

Alternatives include "is limited", "is in short supply", or "is rare", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is very scarce" or "is scarce"?

"Is very scarce" emphasizes the degree of scarcity more strongly than simply "is scarce". Both are grammatically correct, but "is very scarce" is more emphatic.

What does "is very scarce" imply about the subject?

It implies that the subject is not readily available or abundant, suggesting a potential need for conservation, careful management, or alternative solutions.