scant response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minimal or insufficient reply to a question or request. Example: "After sending out the survey, we received a scant response from the participants, which was disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Bell, 55, had e-mailed dozens of resumes to prospective employers and received scant response.

The New York Times

I prattled away, getting scant response, and then we said goodbye.

Independent

The chill, bracing perspective of a "new" art history, which posits that art is ideologically manipulative and is as often as not an advertisement for top-down social power, has found scant response here.

The New York Times - Arts

(Feminists, it should be noted, are also the only ones I see defending LaBeouf. The scant response from "men's rights activists", supposed champions of male victims, seems to mainly revolve around how effeminate LaBeouf is for not fighting his attacker hard enough).

The Guardian - Opinion

But beyond that, there's been scant response to this latest chapter in the story of Fathi Eljahmi.

Forbes

When the footage debuted on YouTube, the massively popular amateur-video Web site, it drew scant response.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Met or EGFR inhibition in these settings results in the selective decline of RAS- and PI3K-dependent cascades, whilst many other signals known to affect Met- and EGFR-driven proliferation in non-addicted cells – including JNK, p38, STATs and NF-κB – remain active or exhibit scant responses (Bertotti et al, 2009).

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Citing a delayed rescue response and scant media attention in the storm's immediate aftermath, residents have come to view themselves as the "forgotten borough".

The Guardian

But some others said they were getting confusing responses and scant assistance from their insurance companies.

The New York Times

[C6.] Some Complain About Insurers Since the World Trade Center attacks, some small-business owners and homeowners say they are getting confusing responses and scant assistance from their insurers.

The New York Times

With the exception of work by Ihlen and Levenshus' (2017) on technology in crisis and risk management and Roberts and Elbe's (2017: 14) on syndromic surveillance systems, however, the role of digital communication tools in pandemic response has received scant critical attention.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant response", ensure the context clearly indicates a deficiency or lack of expected feedback or reaction. For example, use it to describe the outcome of a survey or a request for information.

Common error

Avoid using "scant response" to describe a situation where the feedback is positive or plentiful. The word "scant" implies a lack or deficiency, making it inappropriate for conveying satisfaction or abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant response" functions as a noun phrase, where "scant" is an adjective modifying the noun "response". It describes the quality or quantity of the response received. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant response" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a limited or inadequate reply. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Appearing mostly in news and scientific contexts, it conveys a sense of deficiency or lack of expected feedback. While it's appropriate for neutral and professional registers, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with its negative connotation, avoiding its use when describing positive feedback. Alternatives like "limited feedback" and "meager reply" offer similar meanings, adapting to specific nuances. Therefore, understanding its precise meaning and appropriate context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparse reply

Similar to "scant response" but replaces "scant" with the synonym "sparse".

limited feedback

Changes the term "response" to "feedback", implying less formal or structured communication.

meager reply

Replaces "scant" with "meager" and "response" with "reply", suggesting a small and unsatisfactory answer.

minimal reaction

Substitutes "response" with "reaction", focusing more on general behavior or attitude.

poor reception

Emphasizes how something was received, suggesting a negative or unwelcoming reaction.

weak echo

Uses a metaphor to describe the response as faint and insubstantial.

thin attendance

Shifts the context to event participation, implying few people showed up.

inadequate answer

Focuses on the quality of the answer being insufficient or not meeting requirements.

little acknowledgement

Highlights the lack of recognition or attention given.

paltry answer

Suggests the response was so small or insignificant as to be almost worthless.

FAQs

What does "scant response" mean?

"Scant response" indicates a minimal or insufficient reaction, reply, or feedback. It suggests that very few people responded or that the response was inadequate.

What can I say instead of "scant response"?

You can use alternatives like "limited feedback", "meager reply", or "minimal reaction" depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "scant response" in a sentence like: "The survey received a scant response from the target audience" or "His proposal met with a scant response from the board members".

Is "scant responses" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scant responses" is grammatically correct. It is the plural form of "scant response", and it indicates multiple instances of limited or insufficient replies/reactions.