scant capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is very little capacity or ability to accommodate something, often in contexts related to resources or space. Example: "The warehouse has scant capacity to store additional inventory, leading to potential delays in shipping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Douglas Oakervee said that the problem of scant capacity and creaking infrastructure was not just one affecting railways but the entire national transport system.

The Guardian

Persistent poverty, a lack of governance and high rates of population growth have left African countries with scant capacity to manage too much or too little water.

The New York Times

This decrease is consistent with the scant capacity of these genotypes to circumvent human defences.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A few months ago the bank's economists thought there was scant spare capacity.

The Economist

Big emerging economies are in the best shape, with strong growth in domestic demand and scant spare capacity.

The Economist

Another challenge is the scant institutional capacity our democracy has for coping with a digital world.

TechCrunch

Level 3, like other high-speed network operators, has struggled amid a glut of fiber optic network capacity, scant customer demand and debt amassed during network construction.

The New York Times

Often, while the initial emphasis is on expanding bed capacity, scant attention is paid to the longer-term critical care needs of these patients.

Critical Care

He conveys a very dim view of the world today and scant trust in our capacity to cope with it.

The New Yorker

Yet the wireless business has proven a sinkhole for investors, who have had to plow ever more money into expanding capacity, with scant return.

Forbes

This possibility is of particular significance given the rising rates of pediatric obesity and overweight in the USA; unfortunately, data in the literature that address this possibility are scant and have limited capacity to support or refute this concern.

Injury Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant capacity", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the capacity refers to, for example, "scant capacity for storage" or "scant capacity to handle the volume of requests".

Common error

Avoid using "scant capacity" when the capacity is merely less than ideal but still functional. "Scant" implies a severe lack, so reserve it for situations where the capacity is genuinely insufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant capacity" primarily functions as a descriptive term, specifying that the amount of capacity available is very small or insufficient. It modifies the noun "capacity" to indicate a limited quantity, aligning with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant capacity" is a phrase used to describe a situation where there is a limited or insufficient amount of capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts and serves to highlight deficiencies or limitations. Alternatives include "limited capacity" and "insufficient capacity". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what the capacity refers to. The most authoritative sources are The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited capacity

Indicates a finite and restricted amount of capacity, similar to "scant capacity".

insufficient capacity

Highlights that the existing capacity is not adequate for the demands or requirements, akin to "scant capacity".

meager capacity

Emphasizes the smallness and inadequacy of the capacity, similar to the implication of "scant".

inadequate capacity

Focuses on the deficiency and unsuitability of the capacity for a specific purpose, like "scant capacity".

restricted capacity

Highlights the limitations and constraints on the available capacity, similar to "scant capacity".

minimal capacity

Stresses the extremely small and almost negligible amount of capacity, close in meaning to "scant".

small capacity

A more general term indicating a low amount of capacity, similar in concept to "scant capacity".

low capacity

Simply points out the reduced level of capacity, sharing the basic meaning with "scant capacity".

sparse capacity

Implies a thin or thinly distributed capacity, similar to the notion of "scant capacity".

deficient capacity

Highlights the insufficiency and lack of the required capacity, echoing the meaning of "scant capacity".

FAQs

What does "scant capacity" mean?

"Scant capacity" refers to a situation where there is very little or an insufficient amount of something available, particularly in relation to resources or space. It implies a deficiency or shortage.

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

You might say, "The hospital has "limited capacity" to admit new patients" or "Due to "inadequate capacity", the system is unable to process all the data." Examples can be found above.

What are some alternatives to "scant capacity"?

Alternatives include "limited capacity", "insufficient capacity", "meager capacity" or "minimal capacity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "scant capacity" a formal or informal phrase?

"Scant capacity" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in formal writing, such as news articles, reports, and academic papers. The level of formality can also depend on the surrounding language and the specific publication or setting.