scant access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant access" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where access to something is limited or insufficient. Example: "The researchers faced scant access to the necessary data, hindering their study's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

In many developing countries, the poor still have scant access to savings and insurance products.

The Economist

Yet controls established in 2011 mean they have scant access to hard currency.

The Economist

He said the remote area lacked a strong government presence, with residents having scant access to justice, health or education.

The Guardian

Many of these voters live in non-urban areas, where there is scant access to non-government media".

The Guardian

That makes 145 million Europeans or so, spread from Bordeaux to Berlin, with scant access to this particular micro-service.

The New York Times

An unpredictable food supply, scant access to soil and the essential nitrogen it holds: no wonder young roaches must know how to scam.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Emphasizing that huddled temperament, the N.F.L. permits scant press access to players and coaches.

The New Yorker

The site's frustration with Chicago underscores how scant our access is to public records at most levels of government.

The New York Times

"People eventually get curious, pop their head out, and ask, 'Hey, what are you doing here?' " El Azufre is a self-contained locale, with scant Internet access and a dearth of smartphones.

The New Yorker

"As a result," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the unanimous opinion, "the Court must exercise extreme caution before suggesting that the First Amendment provides scant protection for access to vast networks in that medium".

Vice

Caste discrimination still results in scant employment opportunities, less access to secondary and higher education key for salaried public and private jobs, perpetuating powerlessness, traditional forms of dominance and oppression, inequalities, lower living standards among SC/ST/OBC as a entrenched social identity in India.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing disparities in resource distribution, use "scant access" to effectively highlight the severe limitations faced by certain populations.

Common error

Avoid using "scant access" when describing minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the lack of access has significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant access" functions as a noun phrase, where "scant" modifies the noun "access". It is used to describe a situation where there is a limited or insufficient availability of something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant access" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote limited or inadequate availability. As validated by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, emphasizing disparities in resource distribution. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a significant limitation, not a minor inconvenience. Alternatives like "limited access" or "minimal access" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning intended. Always consider the context to avoid overstating the limitation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited accessibility

Emphasizes the restriction in the ability to reach or use something.

restricted access

Highlights that access is officially or practically limited.

meager access

Indicates that the amount of access available is very small or insufficient.

minimal access

Suggests the access provided is the smallest amount possible.

inadequate access

Implies that the available access does not meet the required needs.

insufficient access

Similar to inadequate, highlighting a lack of necessary access.

poor access

Describes that the quality or ease of access is not good.

rare access

Indicates that opportunities for access are infrequent.

sporadic access

Suggests that access occurs irregularly or intermittently.

nominal access

Implies that access exists in name only, without significant practical benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "scant access" in a sentence?

Use "scant access" to describe a situation where something is barely available or accessible. For example, "Residents in rural areas often have scant access to healthcare services."

What are some alternatives to "scant access"?

You can use alternatives like "limited access", "minimal access", or "inadequate access" depending on the context.

What does "scant" mean in the context of "scant access"?

In this context, "scant" means barely sufficient or adequate, implying a small or insufficient amount of access.

Is "scant access" a formal or informal phrase?

"Scant access" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it's more commonly found in professional and news contexts.