resources are scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'resources are scarce' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that resources (such as money, materials, or personnel) are in short supply. For example, you could say: "With resources so scarce, our organization has had to find innovative ways to get the job done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Key resources are scarce.

The Economist

Resources are scarce.

The Guardian

Yet resources are scarce and demand is close to infinite.

The Guardian

But the Philippines is poor and resources are scarce.

The Economist

When resources are scarce, which essentials become less so?

The New York Times

"Resources are scarce, and there's an immediate need for action".

The New York Times

The school remains small — there are fewer than two thousand students — and resources are scarce.

The New Yorker

But in a land where resources are scarce, outsiders are competition.

The Guardian

But when resources are scarce, and getting scarcer, it's a hard urge to fight.

The Guardian

Petroleum resources are scarce and renewable resources such as solar, wind and geothermal are plentiful.

The Guardian

They often rely on outside money because local resources are scarce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "resources are scarce", be specific about the type of resources you are referring to (e.g., financial, human, natural) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "resources are scarce" as a blanket statement without providing context or examples. Instead, illustrate the specific impact of the scarcity on a particular situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resources are scarce" functions as a statement of fact, indicating a limited availability of necessary means or assets. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to explain constraints and challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resources are scarce" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that there is a limited availability of essential assets. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science, showing its versatility and relevance in formal and neutral registers. When employing the expression "resources are scarce", it's crucial to be specific about the kind of resources being discussed to provide clear context. Alternatives like "funds are scarce" or "materials are scarce" can be used to refine your message and provide more details. Remember to avoid using this phrase as a vague generality and provide supporting examples to strengthen the impact of your claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Resources are limited

A direct synonym, simply stating that resources have a defined limit.

Resources are scant

Indicates that the amount of resources is very small or barely sufficient.

Resources are meager

Similar to 'scant', suggesting a small and insufficient quantity of resources.

Resources are inadequate

Emphasizes that available resources are not sufficient to meet the demands or needs.

Means are scarce

Focuses on the limited availability of the necessary means to achieve something, similar to limited resources.

Materials are scarce

Highlights the lack of available materials, a specific type of resource limitation.

Supplies are limited

Focuses on the restriction in the amount of available supplies.

Funds are scarce

Specifically addresses the shortage of monetary resources or funding.

Availability is limited

Highlights restrictions on what is available, whether of material or immaterial resources

Opportunities are limited

Emphasizes restrictions in possibility to pursue objectives

FAQs

How can I use "resources are scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "resources are scarce" to explain limitations or constraints in various situations. For example: "Because "resources are scarce", the project timeline had to be adjusted."

What are some alternatives to saying "resources are scarce"?

Alternatives include "resources are limited", "funds are scarce", or "materials are scarce", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "resources is scarce"?

No, the correct phrasing is "resources are scarce". "Resources" is a plural noun, so it requires the plural verb "are".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "resources are scarce"?

It's appropriate when discussing limitations in funding, manpower, materials, or any other essential element needed to accomplish a task or objective. It's often used in economics, project management, and public policy.