pretty scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not abundant or is in limited supply. Example: "In this region, good job opportunities are pretty scarce, making it difficult for recent graduates to find work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The expertise is pretty scarce, no matter where you look.

The New York Times

Exact knowledge was pretty scarce, and often proved less effective than superstition.

The New Yorker

"I grew up in the 1950s, and food was pretty scarce," she says.

Independent

There's even the occasional splash of dry humour, a commodity in pretty scarce supply on Silence Yourself.

The Guardian - Music

Clive James has celebrated him, and Altenberg got a nod in last year's Open City, but otherwise word has been pretty scarce.

The New Yorker

I was both surprised and pleased to see them, as curlew sandpipers are pretty scarce in western Britain, and this was the first time I had seen this species in Somerset.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Headset penetration is pretty low, great experiences are somewhat scarce and augmented reality that better integrates into life is starting to eclipse VR.

TechCrunch

For 71 painstaking minutes, it looked like neither side would break an end-to-end deadlock characterised by long balls and scarce pretty play.

The Guardian - Sport

American coins are scarce, however, so pretty much everybody in Zimbabwe transfers airtime in their place at least occasionally, says Oswell Binha, president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in Harare.

The Economist

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Vice

They reckon the market for scarce talent is working pretty well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the availability of resources, consider using "pretty scarce" to convey a sense of limitation without implying complete absence. This can be useful in scenarios where demand slightly exceeds supply.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty scarce" when the item is virtually non-existent. The phrase implies some limited availability, so opt for stronger terms like "nonexistent" or "completely absent" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty scarce" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not abundant or readily available. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a valid and commonly used expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty scarce" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is limited or not abundant. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently used in news and media to describe a variety of resources, details, and commodities. While leaning towards neutral in register, it's versatile enough for many contexts. Alternatives like ""fairly limited"" or ""somewhat rare"" can provide more formal options when necessary. Remember to consider the degree of scarcity you wish to convey to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly limited

Emphasizes restriction in quantity or extent more directly.

quite uncommon

Focuses on the unusual or infrequent nature of something.

rather infrequent

Highlights the low occurrence rate of something.

somewhat rare

Stresses the unusual nature and limited presence of something.

not abundant

Directly states the lack of plentifulness.

thin on the ground

An idiomatic expression indicating scarcity in a particular location or situation.

in short supply

Highlights that the availability of something is insufficient to meet demand.

hard to come by

Emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining something.

few and far between

Indicates that instances of something are infrequent and widely dispersed.

markedly reduced

Highlights a noticeable decrease in quantity or availability.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty scarce" to describe something that is limited in quantity or availability. For example, "During the drought, water became "pretty scarce"".

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty scarce"?

Alternatives to "pretty scarce" include "fairly limited", "quite uncommon", or "somewhat rare", depending on the context.

Is "pretty scarce" considered formal or informal language?

"Pretty scarce" leans towards informal but is acceptable in many contexts. For more formal writing, consider using "relatively limited" or "moderately scarce".

What's the difference between "pretty scarce" and "very scarce"?

"Pretty scarce" suggests a moderate degree of scarcity, while "very scarce" implies a higher, more pronounced level of scarcity. The choice depends on the exact degree of limitation you wish to convey.