scant reward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant reward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reward that is minimal or insufficient in comparison to the effort or expectation involved. Example: "After months of hard work, the team received a scant reward for their efforts, leaving them feeling unappreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

That's scant reward for success.

The New York Times

Robert Lewandowski's goal was scant reward for 90 minutes of dominance against Cologne.

The Guardian - Sport

Pizarro's goal that made it 2-1 themhem was scant reward for their dominance.

The Guardian - Sport

Coin followed coin with scant reward until suddenly Tic Tac Toe triggered the jackpot and a clattering avalanche of cash.

The Guardian - Sport

He birdied the 2nd hole and the 9th, but in truth that was scant reward for his efforts.

The Guardian - Sport

There was scant reward for two equally fine goals from Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, the 20-year-old Montenegrin.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Exceedingly few able artists in any generation will brave the loneliness and the scant rewards of such commitment.

The New Yorker

Critics on the right fear that the final goal is socialised medicine, with rationed care and scant rewards for innovators.Others worry that reform will cost too much.

The Economist

A few sparks flew, notably created by the choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar in her homage to funk, but for the most part the company offered a boilerplate show that took few chances and offered scant rewards.

The New York Times - Arts

It was true that his claim had an element of rhetoric, since the dilapidated house, inherited by his wife Pamela, was Georgian and had a swimming pool; but the implied criticism of the producers' priorities and his scant rewards as part of the human furniture of the Bond phenomenon was not without justification.

The Guardian - Film

It's exactly what the collage work isn't: a didactic gesture that demands explanation and offers scant visual reward.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant reward", ensure the context clearly establishes a significant effort or investment that contrasts sharply with the small or inadequate outcome. It's most effective when highlighting a sense of disappointment or injustice.

Common error

Avoid using "scant reward" when describing situations where the effort was minimal to begin with. The phrase implies a disproportionately low return for a substantial input, and misusing it can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant reward" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "scant" modifies the noun "reward". It's used to describe something (the reward) that is deficient or inadequate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant reward" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that the compensation or outcome is disproportionately small compared to the effort invested. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Its primary function is to convey disappointment or criticism. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, according to Ludwig's analysis. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a significant effort that contrasts with the minimal outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small return

Directly replaces "scant" with "small", keeping the core meaning intact.

meager compensation

Replaces "reward" with "compensation" and "scant" with "meager", focusing on the financial aspect.

paltry return

Uses "paltry" instead of "scant" to emphasize the insignificance of the return.

inadequate recompense

Substitutes both "scant" and "reward" with synonyms that highlight the insufficiency of what is given.

poor compensation

Focuses on the low quality or value of the compensation received.

little benefit

Shifts the focus from reward to the benefit received, using "little" to indicate its small size.

minimal gain

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the profit or advantage obtained.

deficient reimbursement

Highlights the lack of sufficient repayment or compensation for expenses or losses.

unsatisfactory prize

Uses "prize" in place of "reward", adding a sense of disappointment due to its unsuitability.

limited advantage

Similar to 'little benefit', this highlights the constrained nature of the advantage gained.

FAQs

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

"Scant reward" is used to describe a situation where the compensation or outcome is disproportionately small compared to the effort invested. For instance, "Despite years of dedication, the employee received a "scant reward" for their loyalty."

What are some alternatives to saying "scant reward"?

You can use phrases like "meager compensation", "paltry return", or "small return" as alternatives to "scant reward", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scant reward" formal or informal language?

"Scant reward" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news articles, reports, and other types of writing where you need to maintain a professional tone. In very informal contexts, simpler terms like "not much" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "scant reward" and "little benefit"?

While both suggest a limited positive outcome, "scant reward" specifically implies a disproportionately small compensation for effort or investment, while "little benefit" is a more general term for any small advantage or gain, regardless of the effort involved.