scant contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minimal or insufficient amount of input or effort provided by someone in a particular context. Example: "Despite the team's hard work, his scant contribution to the project was disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus, there seems to be only a scant contribution by coughing to acid regurgitation.

Cough

That study also demonstrated the scant contribution of preexisting mature epithelial cells to such repairs, whereas LNEP cells exhibited proliferative capacity and multipotency.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The third candidate, Dwayne Smith, who has received only scant contributions, has not filed any reports.

The New York Times

Critics have speculated that Trump's refusal stems from his fear of a political backlash should they show that he still pays little or no taxes, makes scant charitable contributions or owes substantial money to Russian banks or oligarchs.

Los Angeles Times

Nor does Horne scant Nixon's own contribution to foreign affairs.

The New York Times - Books

There has only been scant evidence for the contribution of each transglycosylase to the polymerization of the abnormal depsipeptide-containing precursor.

Chemistry - A European Journal

Currently, there is only scant evidence for the contribution of each transglycosylase to the cell wall synthesis of vancomycin-resistant strains.

Chemistry - A European Journal

John de Falbe in the Spectator hailed it as an "immensely captivating, moving – touching – family memoir... Apart from any historical value that may lie in documenting the story of his family, he has made a valuable contribution to the scant literature that exists on the nature of touch".

The Guardian - Books

Gyorgy Ligeti and Mr. Kurtag have both made significant contributions to the scant repertory for unaccompanied viola.

The New York Times - Arts

Even though Joe comes up with the smart idea of accelerating the process through the use of intercoms, his eager-beaver contributions earn him scant points with the boss, who refuses to promote him.

The New York Times

Its annual report is such a scant document that even the financial contributions of the major newspapers are clothed in secrecy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant contribution", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expected or desired level of contribution was, to emphasize the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "scant contribution" when a larger contribution was never expected or required. It should only be used when there's a disparity between the actual and expected input.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant contribution" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "scant" modifies the noun "contribution", indicating a small or insufficient amount. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing limited input in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant contribution" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minimal or inadequate amount of input or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across different domains, primarily in science and news contexts. While "scant contribution" is relatively rare, its meaning is clear, and it can be effectively replaced with alternatives like "minimal input" or "negligible contribution" to convey the same idea. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear that a more substantial contribution was expected or required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal input

Focuses on the limited quantity of input provided.

negligible contribution

Emphasizes the insignificance of the contribution.

limited assistance

Highlights the restricted amount of help given.

meager input

Stresses the deficiency in the provided input.

small contribution

Directly refers to the reduced size of the contribution.

inadequate support

Highlights the lack of sufficient support.

insufficient aid

Focuses on the lack of adequate help.

trivial role

Emphasizes the unimportance of the part played.

token effort

Implies the effort was merely symbolic.

nominal part

Suggests the part was small in name only.

FAQs

What does "scant contribution" mean?

The phrase "scant contribution" means a very small or inadequate amount of input, effort, or assistance.

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

You can use "scant contribution" to describe a situation where someone's input or effort is significantly less than what was needed or expected. For example, "Despite the team's efforts, his "minimal input" to the project was disappointing."

What are some alternatives to "scant contribution"?

Alternatives to "scant contribution" include "negligible contribution", "limited assistance", or "meager input". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "scant contribution" a formal or informal phrase?

"Scant contribution" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "little help".