scant few

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "scant few" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a small number or amount of something, usually with a negative connotation. For example, "The party got a scant few RSVPs, so it wasn't very successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats can point to a scant few.

The New York Times

But there's scant few of them in the statehouse.

The New York Times

There are scant few affordable tenancies out there.

The Guardian

Bradfield supplies a scant few orienting facts in the course of this challenging, original novel.

The New York Times - Books

Only a scant few remained in the Middle East, which proved expensive or unwelcoming.

The New Yorker

But only a scant few boxes in the pile will be from Mr. Sartori.

The New York Times

Some of the mansions remain, but only a scant few are single-family homes.

The New York Times

If this were a scant few years ago, I would have played Javier's part.

The New York Times

The scant few blocks north toward the dizzy roofline of St. Patrick's Cathedral passed unreal, falsely familiar.

The New York Times

The next mayor takes over on July 1, a scant few weeks before the start of another school year.

The New York Times

In a scant few years, though, Clinton Street has undergone the equivalent of a whole body transformation.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant few" to subtly express not just a small quantity, but also a sense of disappointment or inadequacy about the limited amount.

Common error

Avoid using "scant few" in extremely formal or technical writing; simpler alternatives like "very few" or "a small number of" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant few" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, indicating a small quantity of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing limited resources or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a determiner to indicate a surprisingly small quantity. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting inadequacy or disappointment. According to Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Academia contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While the phrase is widely accepted, being mindful of the register and context will ensure correct and impactful usage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is appropriate for expressing limited quantities with an added layer of dissatisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very few

Direct synonym, replacing "scant" with "very" to emphasize the small number.

not many

Simple and direct way of expressing a small quantity.

a small number of

More formal alternative, focusing on the limited quantity.

a limited number of

Highlights the restriction or constraint on the quantity.

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", emphasizing the difficulty in finding or obtaining something.

hardly any

Emphasizes the near absence or scarcity of something.

precious few

Adds a sense of value or rarity to the small number.

a handful of

Indicates a quantity small enough to be held in one hand.

a negligible amount of

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity.

virtually none

Emphasizes the extreme lack of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant few" to describe a situation where there is a surprisingly small number or amount of something. For example, "There were "scant few" job opportunities in the town after the factory closed."

What's the difference between "scant few" and "scarce few"?

While both phrases imply a small quantity, "scant few" often carries a connotation of inadequacy or disappointment, while "scarce few" simply indicates that something is not readily available. The term "scarce few" is less common.

What can I say instead of "scant few"?

You can use alternatives like "very few", "a small number of", or "hardly any" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a scant few"?

Yes, the phrase "a scant few" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes the limited quantity of something, often with a negative connotation.