scant population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant population" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are very few people in a particular area or community. Example: "The remote village had a scant population, making it difficult to sustain local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That dynamic could be changing now, with Dallas's scant population increase and Houston's modest 7.5 percent growth.

The New York Times

This is important information which contributes to the scant population data on MG, an emerging pathogen in young women.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Regressed ALH is a pattern of ALH that may be identified in postmenopausal women in which the ALH lesion is less developed; has a more varied and scant population of lobular cells with degenerating changes, as compared with classical examples; and may lack the minimum criteria for diagnosis (Page DL, personal communication; Figure 2a).

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Yet West Nile threatens not only humans, he notes, but large mammals and birds like the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, which have scant populations.

The New York Times

The scant population-based studies in the region that describe sexual violence in the area have not reported on the proportion of child victims [10], [11]; therefore, it is unclear to what extent our hospital-based cohort is representative of rape victims in the community at large.

Plosone

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (breast-ACC) is a rare and special type of basal-like tumor for which scant population-based descriptive data exist.

Breast Cancer Research

These mangrove swamps are infested with crocodiles, snakes and tigers which are a constant threat to the scant human population.

The Guardian - Books

Subsequently, CD56+CD34+CD144+CD45− cells have been isolated by FACS as a scant cell population.

BioMed Research International

Despite these concerns, there have been scant, large population studies addressing the cost and efficacy of conventional ovarian cancer screening measures (van Nagell et al, 2007; Havrilesky et al, 2008).

British Journal of Cancer

Compared to the extensive body of literature on the consequences of obesity in non-pregnant individuals [ 45– 48], research to date on the impact of obesity on reproductive outcomes is relatively scant, particularly population-based studies on extremes of BMI [ 5].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

I love being in this part of the world where a scant and scattered population makes an odyssey out of work-a-day services such as trains, post and doctors.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing demographic data, use "scant population" to emphasize the limited number of individuals residing in a particular region or belonging to a specific group. This highlights the scarcity of people in that context.

Common error

While "scant" is a valid word, it can sound overly formal or academic in everyday conversation. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "small" or "limited" population for better clarity and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant population" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. "Scant" modifies "population", indicating a small or limited number of people. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

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, the phrase "scant population" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing a limited number of people in a specific area or group. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's more common in formal and scientific contexts than in casual conversation. Alternatives like "sparse population" or "small population" may be more appropriate depending on the tone and audience. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news sources, indicating its use in factual and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sparse population

Emphasizes the distribution of the population being thinly spread over an area.

Limited population

Highlights the restricted size or number of individuals in the population.

Small population

Directly indicates the population's size as being relatively diminutive.

Few inhabitants

Focuses on the limited number of people residing in a specific area.

Thinly populated

Describes an area where the population density is very low.

Meager population

Implies that the population is not only small but also inadequate or deficient in some way.

Minimal population

Suggests the population is at its lowest possible or acceptable level.

Reduced population

Indicates that the population has decreased in size from a previous state.

Exiguous population

A more formal and less common way of saying that the population is very small.

Depleted population

Suggests that the population has been significantly reduced, often due to external factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant population" to describe areas or groups where the number of people is very low. For example: "The island has a "scant population" due to its remote location."

What are some alternatives to "scant population"?

Alternatives include "sparse population", "limited population", or "small population". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scant population" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "scant" may sound formal in casual contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In less formal situations, "small population" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "scant population" and "sparse population"?

"Scant population" emphasizes the small number of people, while "sparse population" highlights how the population is spread out over a large area. They are similar but have slightly different connotations.