meagre availability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meagre availability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a limited or insufficient amount of something available. Example: "Due to the meagre availability of resources, the project faced significant delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Doctors across Europe are warning that the soaring use of antidepressants is down to growing pressure to "medicalise" unhappiness, complaining that a lack of time and meagre availability of other therapies meant that physicians reach for the prescription pad far too often.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most were started with only the most meagre available resources.

Unicef

Yet available science and technology indicators illustrate that the results are still meagre.

Research Policy

Compensation has been meagre.

The Economist

What meagre compensation.

The New Yorker

But donors' compensation is meagre.

The Economist

Meagre returns have not helped.

The Economist

Any availability?

The New York Times

#3: Availability.

The Guardian - Tech

Player availability.

The Guardian - Sport

Resources are meagre, intentions troublingly ambiguous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the scarcity of a resource or service, use "meagre availability" to highlight not just the lack, but also the poor or inadequate nature of what little is available.

Common error

Avoid using "meagre availability" when simply referring to a limited amount without the implication of poor quality or inadequacy; "limited availability" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meagre availability" functions as a noun phrase, where "meagre" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "availability". This indicates a limited or insufficient quantity of something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meagre availability" is a phrase used to describe situations where something is not only scarce but also inadequate or of poor quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Its usage is more common in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news, formal reports, and business documents. While it's a valid expression, it's important to consider the connotation it carries—implying a deficiency beyond just quantity. When a more neutral term is needed, consider using alternatives like "limited availability" or "scarce resources". When using "meagre availability", ensure it accurately reflects the situation by emphasizing the inadequacy or poor state of what is available. The top sources that employ this phrase are "The Guardian", "Unicef", "Research Policy", "The Economist" and "The New Yorker".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited accessibility

Focuses on the ease of reaching or obtaining something, similar to availability.

Scarce resources

Emphasizes the deficiency of resources, highlighting the inadequacy rather than just availability.

Restricted supply

Highlights the limitation in the amount of something that can be provided.

Inadequate provision

Focuses on the insufficiency of what is being provided.

Poor accessibility

Highlights the challenges in reaching or using something.

Deficient quantity

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient amount or number.

Sparse distribution

Indicates that something is thinly spread or not widely available.

Reduced access

Focuses on the decreased opportunity to obtain or use something.

Limited scope

Highlights the restricted range or extent of something available.

Minimal opportunity

Indicates very few chances or possibilities for obtaining something.

FAQs

How can I use "meagre availability" in a sentence?

You can use "meagre availability" to describe a situation where something is not only scarce, but also of poor quality or insufficient. For example: "Due to the "meagre availability" of resources, the project faced significant delays."

What phrases are similar to "meagre availability"?

Similar phrases include "limited accessibility", "scarce resources", or "restricted supply", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the scarcity.

Is "meagre availability" formal or informal?

"Meagre availability" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, though alternatives like "limited availability" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "meagre availability" and "limited availability"?

"Meagre availability" implies not only a small quantity but also a sense of inadequacy or poor quality of what is available, whereas "limited availability" simply indicates a restricted quantity.