more scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

"more scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something as more hard to find, less abundant, or less plentiful than before. For example: "As the population increased, natural resources became more scarce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jobs are more scarce.

The New York Times

Water's becoming even more scarce than food.

Cornell University

Films had become even more scarce.

The New York Times

Plots in the older cemeteries are becoming more scarce.

The New York Times

That is very valuable as open land becomes more scarce".

The New York Times

In lower Westchester, open property is more scarce.

The New York Times

At sea, time can be even more scarce than access.

The New York Times - Tech

As racing fans have become more scarce, purses have declined.

The New York Times

Hit situation comedies, for instance, have become more scarce.

The New York Times

But there is another risk as water becomes more scarce.

The New York Times

"It's only going to get more precious and more scarce".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more scarce", specify what is becoming scarcer and the reason behind it for clarity. For example: "Clean water is becoming "more scarce" due to climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "more scarce" when "scarcer" suffices. "Scarcer" already implies a comparative state, so adding "more" can be redundant. Instead of saying "It's becoming more scarce", say "It's becoming scarcer."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more scarce" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's availability or abundance is diminishing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more scarce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. It effectively conveys the idea that something is becoming less available, often due to increasing demand or dwindling supply. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, academic discussions, and scientific analyses. While "scarcer" can often be a more concise alternative, "more scarce" is perfectly acceptable and understandable, particularly when emphasizing the trend of diminishing availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less abundant

Focuses on the reduction in quantity or supply.

more limited

Emphasizes restrictions or constraints on availability.

increasingly rare

Highlights the growing infrequency of something.

dwindling supply

Implies a gradual decrease in the amount available.

growing shortage

Points to an increasing deficit or lack of something.

becoming depleted

Suggests a reduction to near exhaustion.

less readily available

Focuses on ease of access and reduced availability.

in shorter supply

Indicates a lower quantity available compared to demand.

becoming harder to find

Emphasizes the increasing difficulty in locating something.

decreasingly plentiful

Highlights the reduction in abundance or profusion.

FAQs

How can I use "more scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "more scarce" to describe a resource or item that is becoming less available. For example: "As demand increases, resources become "more scarce".

What's a good alternative to "more scarce"?

Alternatives to "more scarce" include "less abundant", "more limited", or "increasingly rare", depending on the specific context.

Is it always correct to use "more scarce", or is "scarcer" better?

"Scarcer" is often the preferred choice as it's more concise. "More scarce" is grammatically correct, but can sometimes sound redundant. In most cases, "scarcer" is the better option.

What makes something "more scarce"?

Something becomes "more scarce" when demand increases, supply decreases, or a combination of both. Factors like overconsumption, environmental changes, or economic shifts can all contribute to resources becoming "more scarce".