scant consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

"scant consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is offered a very small amount of solace or comfort in a difficult situation. For example: "The meager homecoming bonus was scant consolation for the long hours she put in while deployed overseas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is scant consolation here.

Independent

Scant consolation for his victims.

The Guardian

For Mr. Adedokian, that is scant consolation.

The New York Times

That is scant consolation when the exchanges hardly work.

The Economist

If old age scares you, you'll find scant consolation here.

Independent

Those statistics will be scant consolation for Smith.

Independent

It will be scant consolation, however, to Lord Coe.

The New Yorker

That will be scant consolation but he has been heroic.

The Guardian - Sport

Tomer Hemed's goal two minutes from time was scant consolation.

The Guardian - Sport

But context seemed scant consolation to his players.

The Guardian - Sport

It is scant consolation, but thanks all the same.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your writing, follow the word "consolation" by a prepositional phrase, specifying to whom or for what the consolation is scant, e.g., "scant consolation for the victims".

Common error

Avoid using "scant consolation" when describing minor inconveniences; the phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving significant distress or misfortune. Using it lightly can diminish its impact and appear insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant consolation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "scant" modifies the noun "consolation". It describes the degree or amount of comfort received, indicating that it is minimal or insufficient. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant consolation" is a phrase used to describe a minimal amount of comfort in the face of significant disappointment or loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile enough for neutral and formal settings, it's crucial to reserve its use for situations where the inadequacy of comfort is notable. Consider alternative phrases like "little comfort" or "slight solace" for nuanced expression. It is a functional phrase that highlights an underwhelming attempt to provide relief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little comfort

Replaces "consolation" with "comfort", emphasizing the lack of ease or relief provided.

slight solace

Substitutes "consolation" with "solace", indicating a small amount of peace or comfort.

meager comfort

Uses "meager" instead of "scant", highlighting the inadequacy of the comfort offered.

inadequate solace

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the solace provided.

minimal consolation

Directly states that the consolation is at its lowest possible level.

thin comfort

Implies that the comfort is insubstantial or weak.

small consolation

Simple replacement of 'scant' with 'small', retaining the core meaning.

rare comfort

Suggests that comfort is not only minimal but also infrequent.

unsubstantial relief

Replaces "consolation" with "relief" and modifies it with "unsubstantial", underlining the lack of significant alleviation.

limited solace

Indicates that the solace is restricted or finite.

FAQs

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

"Scant consolation" is used to describe a small amount of comfort in a situation of loss or disappointment. For example, "The team's improved performance was "scant consolation" after their defeat."

What are some alternatives to "scant consolation"?

Alternatives include "little comfort", "slight solace", or "minimal consolation". These phrases emphasize the lack of significant comfort or relief.

Is it appropriate to use "scant consolation" in formal writing?

Yes, "scant consolation" is suitable for formal writing. It's often found in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications where a nuanced description of a situation is required.

What's the difference between "scant consolation" and "small comfort"?

While similar, "scant consolation" suggests a more significant underlying problem or loss than "small comfort". "Small comfort" may refer to any minor relief, whereas "scant consolation" implies that the comfort offered is disproportionately small relative to the distress experienced.