scant number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insufficient quantity of something. Example: "The research revealed a scant number of participants willing to take part in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

One caveat is the comparatively scant number of apps available in the Windows Marketplace.

The New York Times - Tech

Criticize it for the scant number of celebrity heads it mounted and stuffed for the steroid wall of shame.

The New York Times - Sports

A bit of bipartisan sisterly camaraderie was in order, given the still scant number of women in those ranks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Azharī formed the new government in January 1954, and the southern Sudanese, who had received a scant number of positions in the new administration, felt increasingly marginalized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the scant number of apps available for it will be a real drawback and won't satisfy BlackBerry fans looking for an iPhone equivalent".

The New York Times

This is particularly clear in the scant number of episodes, just a dozen or so over six seasons, in which Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna have appeared as an ensemble.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Public officials who oversaw the 2016 election reported that there were scant numbers of votes cast illegally — virtually none compared to the more than 137.7 million ballots cast in total — but Trump can claim that, had it not been for massive voter fraud, he would have won the popular vote, which Hillary Clinton won by 2.9 million votes, or 2.1percentnt of the total.

The New Yorker

We examined the expressions of CGN markers (PDE1C and GABAa6R) and found the cells in Math1-ES-derived EB outgrowths treated with Dox to be immunopositive for PDE1C (6.2±1.2%) and GABAa6R (9.8±1.1%), whereas none or scant numbers of such immunopositive cells were seen in the outgrowths without Dox (Supplementary Information, Supplementary Figure S3).

Cell Death and Disease

Figures are scant on the number of debtors or how much they owe, but it is clear that even mild downturns can push millions toward insolvency.

The New York Times

These authors noted that the amount of information about π in the data could be scant whenever the number of tests is not large enough (>one thousand).

Biometrical Journal

Our scant understanding admits a number of possibilities.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant number of", consider the context. It often implies a negative connotation, suggesting that the quantity is insufficient or disappointing. Choose a more neutral term if that's not your intention.

Common error

Avoid using "scant number of" when you mean a small but adequate amount. "Scant" implies deficiency, so if the small number is sufficient for the purpose, choose a different descriptor like "limited" or "small".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant number of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a limited quantity or amount of something, often implying that the quantity is insufficient or inadequate. This is supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant number of" is a phrase used to describe a small and often insufficient quantity. Ludwig's analysis shows that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of its implication of deficiency and consider whether a more neutral term like "limited number of" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited quantity of

Synonymous, but more direct and less evocative than "scant".

Small quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", focusing on amount rather than count.

Limited amount of

Uses "amount" to refer to something not easily countable and "limited" instead of "scant".

Meager supply of

Emphasizes the inadequacy or poorness of the supply.

Insufficient quantity of

Highlights the inadequacy of the amount for a specific purpose.

Paltry sum of

Implies the amount is insignificant or worthless.

Reduced number of

Focuses on the decrease in the count compared to a previous or expected amount.

Sparse amount of

Highlights the scattered or thinly distributed nature of the amount.

Tiny fraction of

Emphasizes the smallness of the amount relative to a larger whole.

Minimal portion of

Suggests the amount is barely sufficient or the smallest possible.

FAQs

How do I use "scant number of" in a sentence?

Use "scant number of" to describe a quantity that is both small and insufficient for a particular purpose. For example: "There was a scant number of resources available to the researchers."

What are some synonyms for "scant number of"?

Alternatives to "scant number of" include "limited number of", "small number of", or "insufficient quantity of".

Is "scant number of" formal or informal?

"Scant number of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in written rather than spoken language.

What's the difference between "scant number of" and "small number of"?

While both phrases indicate a limited quantity, "scant number of" carries a stronger implication of inadequacy or deficiency compared to the more neutral "small number of".