scant to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear what context you intend to use it in, as "scant" typically means insufficient or meager, but it does not pair well with "to." Example: "The resources available were scant to meet the demands of the project." (This is an incorrect usage.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Labor leaders, however, say the resources are too scant to cover the dozens of endangered people.

The New York Times

The 9/11 Commission backed this up, but the actual evidence for this claim is scant to nonexistent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Details about it are scant to say the least, with the TV show being in the early stages of development and not yet attached to a network.

Independent

And while the selection of products online is indeed vast, many are niche products such as self-published books for which demand is scant to non-existent.

The Economist

Evidence is too scant to tell just how Turkish intermingled with Mongolian, Finno-Ugric, Tungusic, Indo-European, Tibetan, and perhaps still other languages across the length and breadth of the steppe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Detonators, too, can be sheathed in plastic, and even when their explosive charges contain metal compounds they are typically too scant to set off alarms, said Cathal L. Flynn, a former director of security with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

This, however, seemed to offer scant consolation to Vearncombe.

The Guardian - Music

Until recently, performers seemed to pay scant attention to any notion of nourishment.

The New York Times - Food

Many Africans were desperately poor and isolated in rural areas; they appeared to have scant means to climb from poverty.

The New Yorker

However, poor understanding of brownfield redevelopment has led many urban planners to pay scant attention to brownfield site soil contamination.

Ecological Engineering

When Cavendish finally burst to the lead with scant meters to go, he was fresh.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "scant to" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "insufficient to" or "limited to" to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Don't assume that because you've seen "scant to" in published material, it's correct. Always double-check with grammar resources or style guides to ensure accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant to" is used to express insufficiency or inadequacy. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is not a correct construction. Instead, phrases like "insufficient to" or "limited to" are preferred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

50%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "scant to" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. This phrase aims to convey insufficiency or inadequacy but does so in a non-standard way. Therefore, it is advisable to use alternative phrases like "insufficient to", "limited to", or "meager to", especially in formal or professional writing. While "scant to" is relatively common in news and media and scientific contexts, authoritative style guides recommend against its use in favor of more grammatically sound options. Always prioritize clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal to

Indicates a quantity or degree that is at the lowest limit; slightly more formal.

modest to

Suggests a limited or moderate amount, implying a degree of humility or restraint.

sparse to

Implies that something is thinly distributed or scattered, with wide gaps in between.

insubstantial to

Highlights the lack of substance or importance, making something seem unreal or negligible.

meager to

Emphasizes the inadequacy or scantiness of something, often implying hardship or deprivation.

tiny to

Stresses the extremely small size or amount of something, often evoking a sense of fragility or insignificance.

thin to

Suggests a lack of density or thickness, often used in reference to physical objects or abstract concepts.

low to

Focuses on the reduced level or degree of something, indicating a deficiency or limitation.

rare to

Indicates the infrequent occurrence or scarcity of something, emphasizing its unusual or exceptional nature.

little to

Highlights the small amount or degree of something, often implying a lack of importance or significance.

FAQs

Is "scant to" grammatically correct?

No, "scant to" is not a grammatically correct phrase in standard English. While it appears in some texts, it's better to use alternatives like "insufficient to" or "limited to".

What can I say instead of "scant to"?

You can use phrases like "insufficient to", "limited to", or "meager to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scant to" or "insufficient to"?

"Insufficient to" is the correct and more widely accepted phrase. "Scant to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Therefore, choose "insufficient to".

How to use "insufficient to" in a sentence?

Example: The evidence was "insufficient to" prove his guilt. In this context, it means there wasn't enough evidence.