paucity of materials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paucity of materials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a lack or scarcity of materials available for a particular purpose. Example: "The project was delayed due to a paucity of materials needed for construction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The paucity of materials has not deterred a legion of biographers, including, most recently, Robert Gittings, Michael Millgate, Martin Seymour-Smith and Claire Tomalin, whose lyrical "Thomas Hardy" has just appeared in Britain and America to deservedly rapturous reviews.

The New York Times

Thus a paucity of materials can no longer be used as an excuse for not including classical Chinese philosophical texts in undergraduate courses, or indeed in the several philosophical discourses now current in professional circles.

SEP

But the truth is considering the SIZE OF THE PROBLEM and the paucity of materials dealing with the problem… I'd say we have an avoidance issue here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Maybe the filmmakers were stymied by the paucity of material -- Dean's was a brief life," Ms. Salamon wrote.

The New York Times

Maybe the filmmakers were stymied by the paucity of material -- Dean's was a brief life -- or by an unwillingness to explore the complexity that was there.

The New York Times

"I went on a trip to the Big Apple to see 'Beauty and the Beast,' and a trip to Funtime America," his essay began, then veered suddenly into the future tense to make up for the paucity of material.

The New York Times

But such is the paucity of material in his party for the formation of a government, that compared with all the others, he stands out alone as a great and distinguished statesman.

The Guardian

A search of nonacademic literature highlights, with a few notable exceptions, a relative paucity of material.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

NME editor Emily Mackay echoed his statements giving a mixed review for the tour, further criticizing the lack of hits in the set list and adding that only a "paucity of material" was incorporated in the set.

Wikipedia

Samples were excluded due to paucity of material or poor preservation of material.

Breast Cancer Research

However, progress in tissue-based research is challenged by the paucity of material obtained during diagnostic procedures.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paucity of materials", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific materials are lacking and the impact of this shortage.

Common error

Avoid using "paucity of materials" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lack of materials" or "not enough supplies" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of materials" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state of lacking an adequate amount of resources. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paucity of materials" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a shortage or lack of necessary resources. While it is considered somewhat formal and less common than alternatives like "lack of materials" or "scarcity of resources", it is appropriate in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. Ludwig indicates that it is used properly and is found in sources such as The New York Times and scientific journals, solidifying its place in formal English writing. When you use the phrase, remember to provide context regarding the specific materials lacking and the consequences of that shortage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcity of resources

Focuses on the limited availability of resources in general.

lack of resources

A more straightforward and common way to express the absence of resources.

shortage of supplies

Emphasizes the deficiency in the quantity of supplies available.

limited availability of materials

Highlights the restricted access to materials.

dearth of resources

A more formal and less common way to indicate a severe lack of resources.

insufficiency of supplies

Indicates that the supplies are not sufficient to meet the demand or need.

inadequate materials

Focuses on the quality or suitability of the materials being insufficient.

limited stock of materials

Stresses that the existing stock or inventory of materials is restricted.

meager supply of resources

Highlights the small and insufficient nature of the resource supply.

restricted access to materials

Emphasizes the limited or controlled access to the necessary materials.

FAQs

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

You can use "paucity of materials" to describe situations where there is a shortage or lack of necessary resources. For example: "The project was delayed due to the "paucity of materials" available for construction."

What's a less formal alternative to "paucity of materials"?

Alternatives include "lack of materials", "shortage of supplies", or "limited resources". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to use "paucity of material" instead of "paucity of materials"?

While "paucity of material" can be correct, it usually refers to a singular, undifferentiated substance. "Paucity of materials" is generally used when referring to multiple or specific types of resources that are lacking.

What is the difference between "scarcity of materials" and "paucity of materials"?

"Scarcity of materials" and "paucity of materials" are largely synonymous. "Paucity" tends to be a more formal and less frequently used term than "scarcity".