paucity of

USAGE SUMMARY

'paucity of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about scarcity or a small number or amount of something. For example: "The paucity of resources available to the local school made it difficult for them to provide a high quality education for their students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The paucity of Obama's audacity is striking.

The New York Times

They complain about a paucity of offerings.

The New York Times

So does the paucity of ideas.

The New York Times

A paucity of role models for women.

Harvard Business Review

"There is still a paucity of representation".

The Guardian - Film

Paucity of data is discussed.

Environmental Science & Policy

There was, however, a troubling paucity of student works.

The New York Times - Arts

In the Edwards case, there was a paucity of evidence.

The Washington Post

The paucity of good restaurants is a universal grievance.

The New York Times

Despite the paucity of evidence, most experts agree.

The New York Times

I received a paucity of requests for interviews.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paucity of" to emphasize a significant and often problematic lack of something, particularly when a more formal or academic tone is desired. For instance, "The project suffered from a paucity of funding."

Common error

Avoid using "paucity of" in everyday conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "lack of" or "shortage of" would be more appropriate. Using it too frequently can make your writing sound unnecessarily stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of" functions as a noun phrase, typically followed by another noun, to describe a lack or scarcity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting the inadequacy or deficiency of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paucity of" is a phrase used to denote a significant lack or scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal contexts such as academic writing, news reports, and scientific articles. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate that "paucity of" is often employed to emphasize a problematic shortage, impacting areas such as data availability, resource allocation, or evidence supporting a claim. While acceptable, its use in informal settings should be limited in favour of simpler alternatives like "lack of" or "shortage of". Key authoritative sources frequently using the phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of

Directly indicates absence or shortage, similar to "paucity of".

scarcity of

Emphasizes the limited availability of something.

shortage of

Highlights a deficiency or inadequate supply.

dearth of

A more formal synonym for lack, implying a significant deficiency.

deficiency of

Focuses on the inadequacy or incompleteness of something.

insufficiency of

Indicates that something is not enough or adequate.

limited amount of

Emphasizes the restricted quantity or extent of something.

inadequate supply of

Points out that the provision of something is insufficient.

rarity of

Highlights the infrequency or uncommonness of something.

absence of

Indicates a complete lack or non-existence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "paucity of" in a sentence?

The phrase "paucity of" is used to indicate a scarcity or lack of something. For example, "The research team struggled due to the "paucity of" reliable data on the subject."

What are some alternatives to "paucity of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lack of", "scarcity of", or "shortage of" instead of "paucity of".

Is it appropriate to use "paucity of" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "paucity of" is generally more suitable for formal writing or academic contexts. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "lack of" are often preferred.

What is the difference between "paucity of" and "lack of"?

"Paucity of" implies a more significant and problematic shortage than "lack of". While both indicate absence, "paucity" carries a stronger sense of deficiency and inadequacy.