scant presence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant presence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minimal or insufficient existence or appearance of something or someone in a particular context. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, there was a scant presence of support from the community during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

From Schuman's perspective new music had scant presence in the school at the time.

The New York Times - Arts

The region is awash with national oil companies with dominant positions in their home markets but scant presence elsewhere.

The Economist

Sea scallops, attractively browned and appropriately undercooked, also featured wilted spinach, although its scant presence was easily overshadowed by the entree's authentically Indian dal, seasoned with garlic, ginger, cumin, tomato and just the right amount of pepper.

The New York Times

On the way from Burlington to Davenport, Mr. Gore made an impromptu stop for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Muscatine, where the Dean campaign is working hard to organize Hispanic voters, who were a scant presence in the 2000 caucuses but have significantly increased in the state since.

The New York Times

The Romney campaign, which has had a scant presence on the air in recent weeks, on Friday added Colorado, New Hampshire and Nevada to the states where it is running television commercials, according to a media buyer who monitors political spending.

The New York Times

But it doesn't explain the anomaly of Japan, which has plenty of large-cap companies, or Italy's scant presence.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The news media turnout was nearly normal — no local columnists and scant national presence.

The New York Times - Sports

And after several of those - the Bison grass-flavoured Wiborova is the favourite, sometimes mixed with apple juice to create the devastating Charlotka - you'll quickly understand why drugs have so scant a presence.

The Guardian - Travel

The magazine's three 20-something founders — Nacho Alegre, Omar Sosa and Marco Velardi — communicate mostly via Skype and e-mail, but unlike Selby's project, the biannual Apartamento (Issue 5 appears this month) has scant Web presence.

The New York Times

After James Holmes went on his own shooting spree in a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado, the media, spurred on by amateur Internet sleuths, found Holmes's scant online presence in the form of an online-dating profile and a video of a younger Holmes giving a lecture at a science camp in San Diego.

The New Yorker

Like many of the choicest retail stores in Milan, Vintage Delirium has scant street-front presence.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant presence" when you want to emphasize the lack of something noticeable or significant. It is particularly effective in formal writing or when discussing the insufficiency of resources, support, or representation.

Common error

Avoid using "scant presence" when a more neutral term like "small presence" would suffice. "Scant" often carries a negative connotation, implying a deficiency that might not always be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant presence" functions as a noun phrase where "scant" modifies the noun "presence". It describes the degree or extent to which something exists or is apparent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant presence" effectively communicates a noticeable lack or insufficiency, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and scientific writing, it serves to highlight situations where something is markedly deficient. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, as per Ludwig, writers should be mindful of its potentially negative connotation and opt for more neutral alternatives like "limited presence" where appropriate. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited presence

Replaces "scant" with "limited", indicating a restriction in amount or extent.

Minimal presence

Substitutes "scant" with "minimal", suggesting the least possible amount or degree.

Rare presence

Replaces "scant" with "rare", indicating that the presence is infrequent.

Sparse presence

Uses "sparse" instead of "scant", implying a thinly distributed or scattered presence.

Thin presence

Employs "thin" to describe the presence, suggesting a lack of density or substance.

Insignificant presence

Replaces "scant" with "insignificant", indicating that the presence is not important or noticeable.

Negligible presence

Uses "negligible" to convey that the presence is so small as to be not worth considering.

Reduced presence

Highlights that the presence has been diminished or lessened.

Weak presence

Indicates that the presence lacks strength or influence.

Token presence

Implies that the presence is merely symbolic and not substantial.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant presence" to describe a situation where something or someone is barely there or noticeably lacking. For example, "There was a scant presence of volunteers at the event."

What are some alternatives to "scant presence"?

Some alternatives include "limited presence", "minimal presence", or "rare presence". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "scant presence" formal or informal?

"Scant presence" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "not much of a presence" or "hardly any presence" might be more appropriate.

What does "scant" mean in the context of "scant presence"?

In the phrase "scant presence", "scant" means barely sufficient or inadequate. It implies that whatever is present is insufficient or noticeably lacking.