quite scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

'quite scarce' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is limited in availability or quantity, either figuratively or literally. For example, "Contemporary art is quite scarce in this small town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So they're usually quite scarce".

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile regional developments made opium quite scarce.

The Guardian

Great female screams are quite scarce, it seems.

Independent

"That's worrying because their prey, chinook salmon, is already quite scarce.

The Guardian

Anchovies, for example, were really quite scarce in the North Sea 10-20 years ago. 10-20 years ago

The Guardian

Research and documentation The evidence base for use of ICTs in C4D programming with marginalised adolescent girls is quite scarce.

The Guardian

It's organic, but ideally I would love to use wild fish in all my restaurants; sadly, it's incredibly expensive and quite scarce in the UK.

Independent

But even more mundane models were produced in relatively low numbers, reflecting Canada's smaller population, making surviving Canadianized cars quite scarce.

The New York Times

But until recently, ornithologists considered these elusive birds from Canada to be quite scarce in many parts of the United States.

The New York Times

The ban on Watson and Crick's working on DNA had nothing to do with gentlemanly fair play; it was an attempt to allocate scientific resources efficiently — resources that were quite scarce in postwar Britain.

The New Yorker

"If we go back in time 20 or 30 years, women were quite scarce in the professions and in management, while they are well represented today," said Francine D. Blau, an economist at Cornell University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limited availability of resources or data, use "quite scarce" to emphasize the need for further investigation or alternative solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "quite scarce" when "somewhat limited" or "moderately available" would be more accurate. Overstating the scarcity can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite scarce" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun to indicate that something is limited in quantity or availability. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite scarce" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something that is limited in availability or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. As evidenced by the examples, it is particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related articles. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the level of scarcity you intend to convey, and consider alternatives such as "relatively limited" or "in short supply" to achieve the desired nuance. Avoid overstating the scarcity to maintain credibility. Therefore, "quite scarce" is a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarce in number

Focuses specifically on the small quantity or count of something.

in short supply

Highlights that the quantity available is insufficient to meet the demand.

not plentiful

Indicates a lack of abundance, suggesting a moderate scarcity.

relatively limited

Indicates a limitation that is considered in relation to something else, slightly more formal.

not abundant

A direct and simple way of saying something is not plentiful, more formal.

hard to come by

Implies difficulty in obtaining something, often due to its scarcity or high demand.

few and far between

Emphasizes the infrequency and rarity of something, often spread out over a large area or time.

thin on the ground

Suggests that something is sparsely distributed or not easily found in a particular area or situation.

difficult to find

Emphasizes the challenge in locating or obtaining something, often due to its limited availability.

rarely seen

Highlights the infrequency of observing or encountering something, suggesting it is unusual.

FAQs

How to use "quite scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "quite scarce" to describe anything that is limited in availability or quantity. For example, "Detailed information about this topic is "quite scarce"."

What can I say instead of "quite scarce"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively limited", "in short supply", or "not abundant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "quite scarce" or "very scarce"?

Both "quite scarce" and "very scarce" are grammatically correct, but "very scarce" indicates a greater degree of scarcity than ""quite scarce"".

What's the difference between "quite scarce" and "rare"?

"Quite scarce" suggests something is not easily found or available, while "rare" implies something is unusual and infrequently encountered. "Quite scarce" focuses on availability; "rare" focuses on uniqueness.