it scarcely needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it scarcely needs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is obvious or does not require much explanation or justification. Example: "It scarcely needs to be said that hard work is essential for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Young's right knee, it scarcely needs to be said, not the physio's.

The Telegraph

It scarcely needs saying that you wait a long time to read the word "maybe" in The Second Sex.

Independent

Although it scarcely needs pointing out how much, in turn, the Old Firm dominate their own league's money-pot.

Independent

It scarcely needs saying, but I'll say it anyway: working to tackle terrorism overseas is complex and often dangerous.

The Guardian

For all that, it scarcely needs saying that to savor the full glory of Porter's literate ingenuity, you'd better have your earbuds handy.

The New York Times - Books

After graduating, he spent two years writing for TV sketch shows and attempting stand-up: the latter, it scarcely needs saying, went badly.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But it is now, I scarcely need to remind you, more than a week into December.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This flaw in the plan is so obvious that it should scarcely need stating.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Where redevelopment has worked the best is, ironically, in places where it was scarcely needed" because private investors were going to come in anyway, said Thomas Tyrrell, a lawyer for Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles Times

The 179-run first innings deficit at Old Trafford scarcely needs revisiting, and it is almost as if the team members are testing themselves, a game of chicken to see how close to disaster they can get before jumping clear.

The Guardian - Sport

The ad itself scarcely needs recapitulating, since it's still a cultural icon.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it scarcely needs" to introduce a point that is widely understood or considered obvious, enhancing the flow of your writing by avoiding unnecessary explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "it scarcely needs" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or condescending. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it scarcely needs" functions as a discourse marker. It introduces a statement that is considered obvious or self-evident, signaling to the reader that minimal elaboration is required. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it scarcely needs" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that serves as a discourse marker, indicating that the following statement is obvious or self-evident. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability across various writing styles, though primarily found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While alternatives like ""it hardly needs to be said"" exist, the core function remains consistent: to streamline communication by avoiding unnecessary elaboration on widely understood concepts. Overuse can lead to redundancy, so strategic application is key for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it scarcely requires mentioning

Mirrors the original phrase closely, maintaining a similar level of formality and emphasis on the lack of necessity.

it hardly needs to be said

Emphasizes that the statement is almost too obvious to mention, similar to the original but with a slightly stronger tone.

it barely needs mentioning

Indicates something requires minimal attention or explanation, focusing on the lack of necessity for detail.

it almost goes without saying

Highlights the obviousness of the statement, suggesting it's so well-understood that it's nearly redundant to say it.

it's hardly necessary to state

Formally expresses the lack of need to articulate something, suitable for more formal contexts.

there's little need to say

Highlights the minimal requirement to express something, often used to transition into a related point.

it hardly bears mentioning

Suggests that something is so insignificant or obvious that it's almost not worth bringing up.

it barely warrants a mention

Similar to "it hardly bears mentioning", emphasizing the lack of importance or need for extensive discussion.

it scarcely warrants discussion

Focuses on the lack of need for debate or deliberation on a topic due to its obviousness.

it's self-evident

States that something is obvious and requires no proof or explanation, differing in its directness and lack of hedging.

FAQs

How can I use "it scarcely needs" in a sentence?

Use "it scarcely needs" to preface a statement that is considered self-evident or widely accepted. For example, "It scarcely needs to be said that hard work is essential for success."

What are some alternatives to "it scarcely needs"?

Alternatives include "it hardly needs to be said", "it almost goes without saying", or "it barely needs mentioning" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "it scarcely needs saying"?

Yes, "it scarcely needs saying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used variation of "it scarcely needs". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "it scarcely needs" and "it hardly needs"?

The phrases "it scarcely needs" and "it hardly needs" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.