less than scant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than scant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is minimal or insufficient, often in a context where one would expect more. Example: "The research provided less than scant evidence to support the hypothesis, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The humidity has stayed low, and rainfall has been less than scant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

— less than sunny light.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, of the 18 four-year colleges in Nassau and Suffolk counties, 12 are less than 50 years old, scant time for lofty intellectual traditions to take root.

The New York Times

Even these simple principles may be hard to implement, some educators say, because preschool instructors are often paid far less than public schoolteachers and receive scant training.

The New York Times

"It's the same taste," Mr. Hoque said, of his remembered boyhood snack, his only evidence being the scant droplet — less than one-eighth of a teaspoon, by my measurement — that he suctions into a black cocktail straw and dabs onto his tongue, to test the balance.

The New York Times

He won his home state of Minnesota by a scant 3,800 votes (less than 0.2 percent).

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's just under the neighborhood's median price of $897,369, and a scant $7,000 less than the original asking price, in just over a month on the market.

Forbes

But vocational schools in rural areas, no less than their middle-school counterparts, are blighted by scant funding and poor-quality staff.

The Economist

The Plugger devices remain largely unchanged since their initial deployment in 1994 (although their cost has fallen from about $2,000 each to less than $1,000), and for many purposes, the relatively scant information they provide is sufficient.

The New York Times - Tech

With less than a month to go until its release, a few scant details are starting to trickle through about the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than scant" when you want to emphasize that something is not only minimal but also unexpectedly so, creating a sense of surprise or disappointment at the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "less than scant" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise terms like "insufficient" or "minimal" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than scant" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a quantity or degree is deficient, falling short of what might be expected. It is often used to express surprise or disappointment at the minimal nature of something, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than scant" is used to describe something that is surprisingly minimal or insufficient. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while grammatically correct, its usage is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, consider using this phrase to emphasize a notable deficiency, but be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required. Alternatives such as "barely adequate" or "hardly sufficient" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely adequate

Highlights the inadequacy with the adverb "scarcely".

hardly sufficient

Emphasizes the marginal sufficiency of something.

barely adequate

Replaces the comparative structure with a direct assessment of adequacy.

not nearly enough

A more emphatic way of saying something is insufficient.

somewhat insufficient

Softens the statement with "somewhat", suggesting a mild deficiency.

marginally deficient

Uses a more technical term, "deficient", to indicate a lack.

in short supply

Focuses on the limited availability of something.

only a little

Simplifies the expression to indicate a small amount.

next to nothing

An informal way of saying something is almost absent.

virtually nonexistent

Suggests something is almost not there.

FAQs

How can I use "less than scant" in a sentence?

Use "less than scant" to describe something that is surprisingly minimal or insufficient. For example, "The research provided "less than scant" evidence to support the hypothesis."

What's a good alternative to "less than scant"?

Alternatives include "barely adequate", "hardly sufficient", or "scarcely adequate". Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less than scant" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less than scant" is grammatically correct, though it is not very common. It's used to indicate a quantity or degree that is surprisingly small.

When is it appropriate to use "less than scant"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is not only minimal but unexpectedly so, adding a layer of surprise or disappointment. Consider your audience and the formality of the context; alternatives may be more suitable in formal settings.