paucity of resources

USAGE SUMMARY

"paucity of resources" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a shortage or lack of resources in various contexts, such as economics, project management, or research. For example: "The team faced a significant paucity of resources, hindering their progress." Alternative expressions include "lack of resources" and "scarcity of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

So, the richness of last week's rhetoric from the government can't hide the continuing paucity of resources.

The Guardian

When corruption is very firmly established in governance, it is very difficult to know what is the paucity of resources.

The New York Times

While Feltham is a particularly fraught institution, many of its problems are to do with a paucity of resources.

Independent

More remarkably, the country's apparent resurgence in the sport comes despite a paucity of resources that would embarrass Britain's tennis authorities which, despite lavish resources of £60m a year, can only dream of similar success.

The Guardian - Sport

Both are decent players, yet those numbers are an indication of the lack of depth in the domestic game's bowling, and that surely plays a part in England's relative paucity of resources at international level.

The Guardian - Sport

The very fact that Capello had felt compelled to lure Carragher out of a three-year international retirement, and King from the treatment room at Tottenham Hotspurtable, was indicative of the paucity of resources at his disposal.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Open politics can make up for poverty and a paucity of human resources, too.

The Economist

Part of the problem, she determined, was a paucity of educational resources for women about the fundamentals, and risks, of investing in cryptocurrencies.

The New Yorker

Despite the country's paucity of natural resources, its 10.6m people enjoy relatively good standards of health, education and other public services.

The Economist

Given the size of its job and the paucity of its resources, it's not surprising that OSHA is less focused on regulating workplaces than on ensuring that workers know what they are being exposed to.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Next week, the government is due to publish its response to consultations on the review, which highlighted weaknesses in the public sector response to fraud and the paucity of police resources.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paucity of resources", clearly specify which resources are lacking and the impact of this lack on the situation you're describing. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of a "paucity of resources". While a lack of resources can be detrimental, ensure your claims are proportionate to the actual situation and supported by evidence. Otherwise, you risk losing credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of resources" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deficiency or lack, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paucity of resources" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a lack or shortage of necessary means. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in formal contexts such as science, news, and business. While alternatives like ""lack of resources"" or ""scarcity of resources"" exist, "paucity of resources" carries a more formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly specify the lacking resources and avoid exaggerating the impact to maintain credibility. This phrase helps to clearly define limitations and explain difficulties arising from inadequate availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of sufficient resources

Emphasizes insufficiency rather than scarcity.

scarcity of resources

Focuses on the limited availability of resources.

shortage of resources

Highlights the deficiency in the amount of resources available.

limited resources

States the restricted nature of resources.

inadequate resources

Stresses that resources are not enough for a specific need.

deficiency of resources

Indicates a deficit or absence of needed resources.

meager resources

Implies that the resources are scanty or poor.

dearth of resources

Suggests a severe lack or famine of resources.

insufficiency of means

Focuses on the inadequacy of the means to achieve something.

restricted availability of resources

Highlights limited access to the necessary resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "paucity of resources" to describe situations where there is a lack or shortage of necessary materials, funding, or personnel. For example, "The project was delayed due to a paucity of resources."

What are some alternatives to saying "paucity of resources"?

Alternatives include "lack of resources", "scarcity of resources", or "shortage of resources". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "paucity of resources" or "lack of resources"?

"Paucity of resources" is generally considered more formal than "lack of resources". "Lack of resources" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, while "paucity of resources" might be preferred in academic or formal writing.

What does "paucity" specifically emphasize compared to "scarcity"?

"Paucity" emphasizes the insufficiency or smallness of the amount, while "scarcity" emphasizes the limited availability or rarity. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the amount available or the overall limited supply. They are often interchangeable.