scant prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is little hope or likelihood of success or a positive outcome. Example: "Despite their efforts, the team faced a scant prospect of winning the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Foreign diplomats close to the talks see scant prospect of progress.The roots of the conflict lie in a failure to build the basis of a functional state.

The Economist

It would be nice if Mr Obama could do the same, but there is scant prospect of it.History has built up unrealistic expectations of the presidency.

The Economist

They will be the biggest victims if the talks cannot be revived, and there seems to be scant prospect of that.

The Economist

There was scant prospect of any change in the order of Serie A's top three teams before the end of this campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

In Brussels this is seen as playing to the nationalist anti-immigration gallery in Britain since there is scant prospect of any new members joining the EU in this decade.

The Guardian

The influence of the hardline Bennett, whose political base is the rightwing national religious constituency, raises scant prospect of a return to peace negotiations with the Palestinians, even at a time when Israel is under mounting international pressure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

We had more in common with a remote-places-of-the-Empire parvenue such as Doris Lessing: born in Iran in 1919, growing up on a bush farm in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe); then, after two failed marriages, running away to England with scant prospects, which was where we colonials with scant prospects ran away to then.

The Guardian - Books

Given the scant prospects that any attempt to restructure the opposition will succeed — the last such meeting in Cairo in June ended in shouting and fistfights — senior opposition figures tried to smooth over any differences in their initial remarks.

The New York Times

His journey from the Brussels neighborhood of Schaerbeek, where he grew up, to Syria — and back, as a changed and deadly man — is a trajectory decidedly different from that of many of his cohort, who were possessed of scant prospects and long rap sheets.

The New York Times

Under those circumstances, www.sexless.com would seem to have scant prospects.

Forbes

People with scant prospects at home got on a boat or an airplane and flourished in the U.S. and helped America flourish, too.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant prospect", ensure the context clearly establishes what the limited possibility refers to. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "scant prospect" when the situation is definitively impossible, not just unlikely. The phrase implies a small chance, not a zero chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant prospect" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It modifies a noun or clause by expressing a low probability or limited expectation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant prospect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a low likelihood or minimal expectation of a positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, business, and analytical writing. While synonyms like "slim chance" or "remote possibility" exist, "scant prospect" offers a specific nuance that emphasizes the limited potential for success. Remember to use it when you want to convey that an outcome is not entirely impossible but certainly improbable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim chance

Replaces "scant" with "slim", emphasizing the smallness of the probability.

remote possibility

Uses "remote" to highlight the unlikelihood of the event.

little hope

Focuses on the absence of hope rather than the probability of an event.

meager chance

Emphasizes the insubstantial nature of the chance.

slight possibility

Indicates a small degree of possibility.

poor outlook

Shifts the focus to the future and the unfavorable conditions.

bleak future

Highlights the grim nature of the anticipated future.

limited potential

Stresses the restricted capacity for development or success.

dubious outlook

Implies uncertainty and skepticism about the future.

faint hope

Emphasizes the weakness or insubstantiality of the hope.

FAQs

How to use "scant prospect" in a sentence?

Use "scant prospect" to describe a situation where there is little expectation of a positive outcome. For example, "There is a "scant prospect" of the negotiations succeeding given the current disagreements."

What can I say instead of "scant prospect"?

You can use alternatives like "slim chance", "remote possibility", or "little hope" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scant prospect" or "scant prospects"?

"Scant prospect" is generally used when referring to a single, overall possibility. "Scant prospects" is used when referring to multiple opportunities or potential outcomes.

What's the difference between "scant prospect" and "poor outlook"?

"Scant prospect" emphasizes the low probability of something happening, while "poor outlook" focuses on the generally unfavorable conditions or future expectations.