scant time remaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant time remaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is very little time left to complete a task or activity. Example: "With only a few minutes left before the deadline, we realized we had scant time remaining to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With scant time remaining in the Congressional session, the Senate must act quickly to pass the bill or it will die.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Time remaining: 3 hours".

The New York Times

Time remaining: one week.

The Guardian - Travel

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

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

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

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

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant time remaining" when you want to emphasize not only the lack of time, but also the potential consequences of that limitation. It's more impactful than simply saying "little time".

Common error

Avoid using "scant time remaining" in extremely casual conversations. The phrase is relatively formal and may sound out of place in informal settings. Consider simpler alternatives like "not much time" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant time remaining" functions as a determiner phrase modifying an implied noun phrase (e.g., 'to complete the task'). It indicates a limited quantity of time available. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant time remaining" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a very limited amount of time. Ludwig AI validates its usage. While relatively formal, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. The phrase is effective for emphasizing urgency and prompting swift action. Alternatives include "little time left" and "limited time remaining", with the choice depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little time left

Emphasizes the small amount of time available.

limited time remaining

Highlights the restricted nature of the remaining time.

not much time left

A more informal way to indicate a lack of remaining time.

short time to spare

Focuses on the brevity of the available period.

precious little time

Highlights that the available time is both limited and valuable.

time is running out

Conveys a sense of urgency as the deadline approaches.

clock is ticking

A more figurative way to express the passing of time.

rapidly approaching deadline

Highlights the quick approach of a final date or time.

shrinking window of opportunity

Emphasizes that the chance to act is diminishing.

closing stages

Implies the final part of an event or task where time is critical.

FAQs

What does "scant time remaining" mean?

The phrase "scant time remaining" means that there is very little time left or available to complete a task or activity. It emphasizes the limited nature of the time available.

What can I say instead of "scant time remaining"?

You can use alternatives like "little time left", "limited time remaining", or "short time to spare", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "little time remaining" or "scant time remaining"?

"Scant time remaining" is a more formal and emphatic way of saying "little time remaining". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

How do I use "scant time remaining" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where time is severely limited. For example: "With "scant time remaining" before the deadline, we need to focus on the most critical tasks."