scant time

USAGE SUMMARY

'scant time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that there is not very much time to do something. For example, "We had scant time to prepare a presentation for the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chicago has scant time for the Pallant House exhibition.

The Guardian - Arts

League play, of course, allows scant time for navel-gazing.

The Guardian - Sport

But he also lamented the scant time that promising players have to develop their craft.

The New York Times

He blamed his steep weight gain on scant time for exercise.

Harvard Business Review

Yet many directors have limited knowledge of your industry and scant time to acquire it.

Harvard Business Review

High patient volumes and honest-to-goodness life-or-death emergencies leave scant time for meditation.

The New Yorker

The time Ana spends with Nancy's daughter means she has scant time for her own son.

The New York Times

Mr. Suozzi (pronounced SWAH-zee) has scant time for summer vacation.

The New York Times

But the election, waged with little news media attention, offers scant time to remind voters of his biography.

The New York Times

When it stopped, they said, passengers had scant time to escape before a blaze burned through the fuselage.

The New York Times

Frank H. Johnson knew the truth about today's intelligent readers: they rebel against condescension and have scant time to waste.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited by the lack of time. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "scant time" in contexts where a more neutral term like "limited time" would be appropriate. "Scant" implies a noticeable deficiency or lack, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant time" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "scant" modifies the noun "time." As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to describe the limited availability of time for a particular activity or purpose. The phrase is primarily descriptive, providing information about the quantity of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes a limited amount of time, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective-noun phrase, primarily used to emphasize a deficiency in available time across various contexts. While suitable for both neutral and formal registers, it's essential to consider the context to ensure its connotation aligns with the intended meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides ample examples of its usage in reputable sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian. To avoid potential misinterpretations, writers should be mindful of the subtle differences between "scant time" and its alternatives, like "limited time" or "insufficient time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient time

Directly states that the time is not enough.

meager time

Highlights the small and inadequate amount of time available.

reduced time

Focuses on time that has been made shorter.

limited duration

Focuses on the briefness of the period.

compressed timeframe

Implies time has been reduced or squeezed.

short period

Emphasizes the brevity of the timeframe.

tight schedule

Highlights the packed nature of the agenda.

restricted timeline

Highlights constraints on the schedule.

brief window

Suggests a small opening of time.

little opportunity

Shifts focus to the lack of chances due to time constraints.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant time" to describe situations where there is very little time available. For example: "Due to the project's deadline, we had "scant time" to prepare."

What can I say instead of "scant time"?

Alternatives to "scant time" include "limited time", "insufficient time", or "little time", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "scant time" or "limited time"?

"Scant time" and "limited time" are similar, but "scant" emphasizes a deficiency or inadequacy. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What does "scant" mean in the phrase "scant time"?

In the phrase "scant time", "scant" means barely sufficient or inadequate. It implies that the amount of time available is minimal and possibly not enough.