scant interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is very little interest or enthusiasm shown towards something. Example: "Despite the promotional efforts, the event garnered scant interest from the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has shown scant interest in politics.

The Economist

Mr Erdogan has shown scant interest in reform.

The Economist

The celebrity-quizzing judge showed scant interest in serious journalism.Or, indeed, in the media industry's future.

The Economist

The education ministry shows scant interest in the teaching of other religions to Jews.

The Economist

Franklin shows scant interest in new visitors unless he smells food.

The New York Times

But since being re-elected, she has shown scant interest in foreign policy.

The New York Times

Before his election Lech (like his brother) displayed scant interest in them.

The Economist

Even people with scant interest in the art recognise his name and his pictures.

The Economist

The writer's scant interest in the law was even scantier after that review.

The New Yorker

With scant interest in democracy, their concerns centered more on the protection of their ancestral privileges.

The New York Times

And why do so many documentaries about musicians show scant interest in the music?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a lack of enthusiasm or attention, use "scant interest" to convey a formal and slightly understated tone. It's particularly effective in academic or journalistic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "scant interest" in informal contexts; opt for more colloquial alternatives like "little interest" or "not much interest" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant interest" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing the degree of interest. It is typically used to indicate a low or insufficient amount of attention, enthusiasm, or concern, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scant interest" effectively communicates a lack of enthusiasm or attention, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, it suits formal and neutral registers. When aiming for clarity and a less understated tone, consider alternatives such as "little interest" or "limited interest". With a source quality score of 91 and an expert rating of 4.5, its reliability is well-supported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited interest

Suggests a restriction on the amount of interest, rather than a complete lack.

little interest

A more common and straightforward way of saying there's not much interest.

minimal interest

Emphasizes the small amount of interest present.

sparse interest

Highlights the scattered or infrequent nature of the interest.

meager interest

Suggests the interest is not only small but also insufficient.

slight interest

Indicates a mild degree of interest, barely noticeable.

faint interest

Implies the interest is weak and barely perceptible.

tepid interest

Suggests a lukewarm or unenthusiastic level of interest.

inadequate interest

Highlights that the level of interest is not sufficient for a particular purpose.

deficient interest

Focuses on the lack or absence of necessary interest.

FAQs

What does "scant interest" mean?

The phrase "scant interest" means very little or hardly any interest. It indicates a lack of enthusiasm or attention towards something.

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

You can use "scant interest" to describe a situation where someone or something is not receiving much attention or enthusiasm. For example: "The proposal received "limited interest" from investors."

What are some alternatives to saying "scant interest"?

Alternatives to "scant interest" include "little interest", "minimal interest", "limited interest", or "sparse interest". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "scant interest" formal or informal?

"Scant interest" leans towards a more formal register. In informal settings, it might sound overly sophisticated. Consider using "not much interest" or "little interest" for a more casual tone.