remain scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

'remain scarce' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a certain thing is uncommon or rare. For example, "Due to the current pandemic, hand sanitizers have remained scarce in most stores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jobs remain scarce.

The New York Times

But details remain scarce.

The Guardian

Details about Aitboulachcen remain scarce.

Independent

Details of the case remain scarce.

The New York Times

Long-term follow-up data remain scarce.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Within classical music, meanwhile, black faces remain scarce.

The New Yorker

Food, water, and gasoline in Iwaki City remain scarce.

The New Yorker

Demand for places is booming as jobs remain scarce.

The Economist

Job opportunities for low-skilled people remain scarce.

The Economist

Capital will remain scarce and trust in short supply.

The Economist

However, WM treatment studies in aphasic patients remain scarce.

Journal of Neurolinguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain scarce", ensure the context clearly establishes what is scarce and why. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "remain scarce" in contexts where 'limited' or 'reduced' would be more appropriate. Overusing it can create a sense of unnecessary drama or exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain scarce" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a continuing state of limited availability or insufficient quantity. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, and it is used to describe conditions where resources, details, or opportunities are not readily accessible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain scarce" effectively conveys a continuing state of limited availability, as confirmed by Ludwig. With a neutral register and frequent usage in News & Media and Science contexts, it's a versatile expression for highlighting ongoing challenges or deficiencies. While grammatically correct, ensure its use is appropriate for the context to avoid unnecessary drama, and consider related phrases like "continue to be limited" for subtle variations in meaning. Ludwig AI validates the phrase and provides examples, reinforcing its utility in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to be limited

Focuses on the continuation of a limited state, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the scarcity.

persist in being rare

Highlights the persistence of rarity, suggesting that the scarcity is not easily resolved.

are still in short supply

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient quantity to meet demand.

are not readily available

Focuses on the difficulty in obtaining something, highlighting accessibility issues.

are difficult to come by

Indicates that obtaining something requires significant effort or luck.

remain infrequent

Stresses the low frequency of occurrence.

are seldom found

Emphasizes the infrequency of encountering something.

are still uncommon

Highlights the lack of commonness, indicating that something is not widespread.

are hard to find

Focuses on the challenge of locating something.

continue to be deficient

Highlights a lack of necessary or expected quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain scarce" to indicate that something continues to be limited or difficult to find. For example, "Even with increased production, certain resources "remain scarce" due to high demand."

What are some alternatives to "remain scarce"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continue to be limited", "are still in short supply", or "are not readily available", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "remain scarce" and "become scarce"?

"Remain scarce" implies that something was already scarce and continues to be so. "Become scarce" suggests that something was once abundant but is now becoming limited.

Is it correct to say "still remains scarce"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "still remains scarce" can be somewhat redundant. It's often clearer and more concise to simply use ""remain scarce"".