scant examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant examples" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are very few or limited examples available for reference or consideration. Example: "The research paper provided scant examples to support its claims, making it difficult to assess the validity of the arguments presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If backs seem exceptionally prominent in Watteau — and I'm not convinced they are from Perl's scant examples — this voyeuristic quality, found in everything from paintings of Susannah and the elders to countless horror films, is an important factor, and one that Perl fails to note.

The New York Times - Books

Yet this science is surprisingly missing from most science curricula, state science educational standards, and national science educational standards at almost any educational level except for scant examples of evolutionary change in bacteria (e.g., inefficient use of antibiotics) and RNA viruses (e.g., the need for new seasonal influenza vaccine every year).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But there are scant examples either before or after.

Huffington Post

Officials in other states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, have been able to offer only scant examples of voter fraud.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Production of Icon's bike is limited to a scant 50 examples, priced at $4,995 apiece, plus shipping.

BBC

The following year, the company announced plans to build a scant 200 examples of the C-X75, priced between £700,000 and £900,000 apiece, plus VAT.

BBC

The company crafted a scant 75 examples of the door-less, windscreen-less SLR McLaren Stirling Moss edition, priced at 750,000 euros and available only to existing SLR McLaren owners in Europe.

BBC

43, 44 Data for southern Africa are particularly scant: for example, the Malaria Atlas Project, which provides maps and estimates to guide planning of malaria control, includes only six surveys conducted among school-aged children conducted between 1985 and 1997 in Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zambia.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

There is scant evidence, for example, that the wiring of rural America has done anything to make Mr. Gates's prediction about population flight come true.

The New York Times

To dwell on the shaky manner in which France clinched a third Grand Slam in nine years does scant justice, for example, to their stirring deeds en route.

The Guardian - Sport

There is scant understanding, for example, of how patients who are unattached manage care [ 47, 48], although it is believed they rely on episodic care through walk-in clinics and emergency rooms [ 7, 49].

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant examples", ensure your writing clearly conveys the idea that there is a notable lack of supporting instances or illustrations for a particular point.

Common error

Avoid using "scant examples" when there are actually a reasonable number of instances available. Ensure the term accurately reflects a genuine lack of evidence or illustrations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant examples" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun. It indicates a limited or insufficient number of instances used for illustration or support, as Ludwig AI suggests. It is used to express that the existing examples are scarce and might not be sufficient to prove a point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scant examples" effectively conveys a lack of sufficient evidence or illustrations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the scarcity of instances to avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "few instances" or "limited instances" may provide nuanced variations, however, be sure that this is what you are trying to express!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few instances

Focuses on the limited quantity of occurrences.

limited instances

Emphasizes the restricted number of cases.

sparse illustrations

Highlights the scattered and infrequent nature of the examples.

meager illustrations

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the examples provided.

scarce instances

Underscores the rarity of the examples.

rare cases

Highlights the infrequency of such instances.

infrequent examples

Stresses the uncommon occurrence of the illustrations.

minimal occurrences

Focuses on the extremely low number of instances.

isolated instances

Highlights the separation and uniqueness of the examples.

deficient instances

Emphasizes the lack or inadequacy of the examples.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant examples" to indicate that there are very few instances available to support a claim or illustrate a point. For example: "The research paper provided "scant examples" to support its claims, making it difficult to assess the validity of the arguments presented."

What are some alternatives to "scant examples"?

Alternatives include phrases like "few instances", "limited instances", or "sparse illustrations". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "scant examples" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to indicate a lack of supporting evidence. However, ensure that your assessment of the evidence is accurate and that you're not exaggerating the scarcity.

What does it mean when someone says there are "scant examples"?

It means that there are very few, if any, instances or illustrations available. This suggests a lack of evidence, support, or precedent for the topic being discussed.