scant turnout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant turnout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a low or insufficient number of participants or attendees at an event. Example: "The community meeting had a scant turnout, with only a handful of residents showing up to discuss the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the scant turnout in Moscow became clear, Mr. Navalny implored his supporters to vote, and encourage others to do so as well.

The New York Times

Such scant turnout was also evident at sets by similar Gen X-ish legacy acts — Neko Case, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Bryan Ferry — all struggled to gather enough eardrums to rise above the noise.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some are predicting a scant 20 percent to 30 percent turnout, even for the heated United States Senate race to replace Senator Joseph Lieberman, the independent who is retiring, and in a Congressional race in the Western part of the state.

The New York Times

Internationally there is scant evidence that debates alone lift turnout, shift established allegiances or radically alter perceptions of well-known leaders.

The Economist

Protesters had planned to "occupy the subways" throughout the city at 3 p.m., but the turnout of protesters on the trains was scant.

The New York Times

The news media turnout was nearly normal — no local columnists and scant national presence.

The New York Times - Sports

Democrats and civil rights groups counter there is scant evidence of fraud, and say the measures are a Republican effort to depress turnout by Democratic-leaning demographic groups such as the young, poor and minorities.

Huffington Post

Scant consolation.

The Guardian - Sport

It drew scant attention.

The New York Times

But the issue is turnout, turnout, turnout.

The Guardian

Winds are scant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant turnout", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the situation. It's best used when the expected or desired turnout was significantly higher.

Common error

Avoid using "scant turnout" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "low attendance" or "poor participation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant turnout" functions as a noun phrase where "scant" modifies the noun "turnout". According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, describing a situation with a low number of attendees. Examples show its usage in news reports concerning elections and events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant turnout" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe low attendance at an event. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples primarily from news sources. While not very common, it effectively conveys the idea of an insufficient number of participants. Alternatives such as "low attendance" or "sparse turnout" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation and consider varying your language to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparse turnout

Replaces "scant" with "sparse", maintaining the meaning of a low number but emphasizing the scattered distribution of attendees.

meager attendance

Emphasizes the insubstantial or deficient quantity of attendees using "meager".

low attendance

Focuses on the act of attending and uses "low" to describe the number of attendees instead of turnout.

limited attendance

Focuses on the restriction or constraint in the number of people present.

inadequate turnout

Highlights the insufficiency of attendees for a specific purpose or expectation.

poor participation

Shifts the focus from attendance to the level of engagement or involvement, using "poor" to indicate a lack of participants.

minimal participation

Highlights the smallest possible amount of engagement from attendees.

light attendance

Uses a metaphor of weight or burden to suggest a small or easy-to-manage number of attendees.

thin crowd

Emphasizes the spread-out and sparse nature of attendees, suggesting a lack of density.

small crowd

Uses concrete imagery to depict a reduced number of people present.

FAQs

What does "scant turnout" mean?

"Scant turnout" refers to a situation where there is a low or insufficient number of people attending an event or participating in an activity.

What can I say instead of "scant turnout"?

You can use alternatives such as "low attendance", "sparse turnout", or "poor participation" depending on the specific context.

Is "scant turnout" formal or informal?

"Scant turnout" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate term.

How do you use "scant turnout" in a sentence?

Example sentences include: "The election saw a "scant turnout" due to voter apathy", or "The meeting suffered from a "scant turnout", with only a few members present".