rather scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is limited in quantity or availability. Example: "The resources in that area are rather scarce, making it difficult for the community to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They might become rather scarce.

The Guardian - Books

However, available experimental data are rather scarce.

Building and Environment

Still, resources are allocated in a rather scarce way.

The Guardian - Tech

On the other hand, information on their small scale fracture behaviour is rather scarce.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The scientific literature of factors influencing sensory quality of wholegrain foods is rather scarce.

Trends in Food Science & Technology

Prospective randomized studies are rather scarce, particularly when considering the inclusion of untreated control population.

Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité

However, the literature is rather scarce and more importantly, often contradictory.

Brain Research

Thus research on PBL problem design is rather scarce and unsystematic.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

They are present in all organisms, but their origin is probably polyphyletic, so that MT evolutionary studies are rather scarce.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

However, because the drought events have been rather scarce the Vr values were considered oversized and replaced by optimal volumes.

Science of The Total Environment

Although numerical skills have proven to be important precursors for mathematical proficiency, longitudinal studies on numerical development are rather scarce.

Learning and Individual Differences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "rather scarce" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "relatively limited" or "not particularly abundant".

Common error

Avoid using "rather scarce" when something is almost completely absent. In such cases, stronger terms like "nonexistent", "virtually absent", or "entirely lacking" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather scarce" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something exists in a limited quantity or is not easily found. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather scarce" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that something is limited or not abundant. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedic content. While generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to consider the context and intended audience when choosing alternative phrases for greater formality or emphasis. Common errors involve overstating the degree of scarcity, where stronger terms may be more appropriate. Remember to specify the subject that is "rather scarce" for clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat limited

Replaces "scarce" with "limited", offering a more general term for restricted availability.

relatively limited

Similar to "somewhat limited" but implies a comparison to something else.

fairly uncommon

Shifts the focus to the infrequency of occurrence rather than strict scarcity.

moderately rare

Emphasizes the rarity with a slightly more formal tone.

not particularly abundant

Expresses scarcity by negating abundance, providing a more descriptive alternative.

in relatively short supply

Focuses on the limited supply, making it suitable for contexts where availability is key.

somewhat deficient

Implies a lack or shortage, suitable when referring to necessary resources.

not especially plentiful

Similar to "not particularly abundant" but with a slightly different emphasis.

comparatively infrequent

Highlights the infrequency of something when compared to something else.

rather thin on the ground

An idiomatic expression that emphasizes scarcity in a more colorful way, especially when referring to physical objects or people.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather scarce" to indicate that something is limited in quantity or availability. For example, "Experimental data is "rather scarce" in this field of study."

What's a more formal alternative to "rather scarce"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "relatively limited" or "not particularly abundant" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "rather scarce" the same as "very scarce"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of something, "rather scarce" suggests a moderate degree of scarcity, whereas "very scarce" implies a much more severe shortage.

Can I use "rather scarce" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "rather scarce" can be used to describe abstract concepts like information, resources, or evidence. For example, "Evidence supporting this claim is "rather scarce"."