Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
scant time for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "scant time for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there is very little time available for a particular activity or task. Example: "With the deadline approaching, we have scant time for revisions before submission."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Sports
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
18 human-written examples
Chicago has scant time for the Pallant House exhibition.
News & Media
League play, of course, allows scant time for navel-gazing.
News & Media
Mr. Suozzi (pronounced SWAH-zee) has scant time for summer vacation.
News & Media
High patient volumes and honest-to-goodness life-or-death emergencies leave scant time for meditation.
News & Media
The time Ana spends with Nancy's daughter means she has scant time for her own son.
News & Media
His real day job, though, is one that is almost always high stress, leaving scant time for a personal life.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
40 human-written examples
He has moved up the Likud's leadership primary contest to January 31st, leaving his perennial rival, Silvan Shalom, the deputy prime minister, scant time to prepare for a fight.
News & Media
Scant time is offered for Ronnie Wood and his involvement, which is a pity.
News & Media
But this was not a happy night for Callas, who had had scant time to learn the role of Maddalena and sounds nervous.
News & Media
And that leaves scant time to run the collider before it has to shut down for the winter in early December to save money on electricity.
News & Media
She had scant time to help her children with their school projects because — coincidentally — she was always working on projects for their school.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "scant time for", ensure the context clearly indicates what activity or task is being limited by time. This provides clarity and emphasizes the time constraint.
Common error
Avoid exaggerating the consequences of having "scant time for" something. While it implies a limitation, ensure the described impact aligns with the actual severity of the time constraint.
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "scant time for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate a limited availability of time. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Formal & Business
20%
Sports
20%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Science
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "scant time for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a limited amount of time available for a particular activity. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news articles, business documents, and sports reporting. While "scant time for" is suitable for both formal and informal use, it tends to be more prevalent in professional settings. Alternatives include "limited time for" and "little time for".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
limited time for
Emphasizes the restriction on time.
little time for
Highlights the small quantity of time available.
meager time for
Stresses the inadequacy of the time.
insufficient time for
Formally indicates that the time is not enough.
inadequate time for
Similar to insufficient, but may imply a standard has not been met.
restricted time for
Highlights the constrained nature of the time.
minimal time for
Emphasizes the bare minimum of time available.
precious little time for
Adds a sense of regret or value to the lack of time.
hardly any time for
Indicates a near absence of time.
virtually no time for
Strongly emphasizes the lack of time, suggesting it is almost nonexistent.
FAQs
What does "scant time for" mean?
The phrase "scant time for" means there is very little time available for a particular activity or task.
How can I use "scant time for" in a sentence?
For example, "Due to the approaching deadline, we have "scant time for" revisions." or "The project manager allocated "scant time for" testing the software".
What are some alternatives to "scant time for"?
You can use phrases like "limited time for", "little time for", or "insufficient time for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Is "scant time for" formal or informal?
The phrase "scant time for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards a more formal tone compared to saying "not much time for".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested