paucity of courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paucity of courage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack or scarcity of bravery or boldness in a person or situation. Example: "The team's performance was hindered by a paucity of courage in facing their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Obama's political strategy often shows a paucity of courage as much as an audacity of hope.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Writers tweeted to draw attention to the paucity of coverage.

The Guardian

Mr McCain is a man of courage.

The Economist

It was a singular act of courage.

The New Yorker

It also contains many tales of courage.

The New York Times

A man of courage and compassion.

The New York Times

That takes a lot of courage".

The New York Times

It took an enormous amount of courage".

The New York Times - Sports

Racing damage was a badge of courage.

The New York Times

"A great spirit, a lot of courage.

The New York Times

It takes a lot of courage".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paucity of courage" to describe situations where there is a noticeable lack of bravery or boldness, especially when a stronger display of courage is expected or needed.

Common error

Avoid using "paucity of courage" in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "lack of courage" or "not enough bravery" are more suitable for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of courage" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the subject or object complement to describe a deficiency in bravery. It's used to highlight a lack or scarcity of courage in a given situation or individual, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paucity of courage" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a lack of bravery or boldness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's relatively rare. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and carries a formal tone. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives like "lack of courage" are more appropriate. When you want to highlight that bravery is missing, consider "paucity of courage".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of bravery

Directly replaces "paucity of courage" with simpler terms.

scarcity of valor

Substitutes "courage" with "valor" and "paucity" with "scarcity".

deficiency in boldness

Replaces "courage" with "boldness" and "paucity" with "deficiency".

absence of fearlessness

Uses a more descriptive term, "fearlessness", to represent courage.

dearth of intrepidity

Employs more formal vocabulary to express the same concept.

insufficiency of grit

Uses "grit" as a synonym for courage.

limited fortitude

Focuses on the aspect of endurance and strength in courage.

want of nerve

Emphasizes the lack of "nerve" as a component of courage.

meagerness of heroism

Highlights the absence of heroic actions due to lack of courage.

inadequate backbone

Uses a metaphorical term to describe the lack of courage.

FAQs

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

You can use "paucity of courage" to describe a situation or person lacking bravery. For example: "The team's performance was hindered by a "paucity of courage" in facing their opponents".

What are some alternatives to "paucity of courage"?

Alternatives include "lack of bravery", "scarcity of valor", or "deficiency in boldness".

Is "paucity of courage" formal or informal?

"Paucity of courage" leans towards formal usage. Simpler phrases are more appropriate for informal contexts.

What does "paucity" mean in the phrase "paucity of courage"?

"Paucity" means a scarcity or lack of something. In this context, it refers to a lack of courage.