scanty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'scanty' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is small in amount, size, or degree. For example, "She wore a scanty swimsuit that didn't leave much to the imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Otherwise it is scanty," she said.

The Guardian

Three jurors certainly felt that Mr Moussaoui's knowledge of the plot was scanty.

The Economist

Biographical studies of the pianist have been scanty, and it is valuable to have an account of Evans's conservatory training: his preparations for his future impact on jazz included performing Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto at his graduation.The author is concerned principally with his subject's talent and career.

The Economist

Three times he was re-elected to the State Legislature, and in 1846 took his seat in Congress, for the Central district of Illinois.From this date the scanty memorials of private life are altogether swallowed up in the vortex of public affairs.

The Economist

Their widespread availability and cheapness in developing countries, where other medical resources are scanty, tempts doctors to overprescribe them.

The Economist

Since then, improvement has been scanty, though getting the final chunk of children into school is necessarily the trickiest task as the easy cases are already solved.

The Economist

But they were happy to share their scanty food because, as Mr Sesay stresses, "They did the same for us when we were fleeing our own war".

The Economist

Policymakers such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the finance minister and a former World Bank director, agree that the policy is wasteful, but progress is scanty.

The Economist

Now, with a 1% limit looming, they have decided it is time to grab the extra cash.Defenders of Mr Eyman point out that he has been, until this week, an astute judge of the public temper, and a skilled finger-pointer at the emperor's scanty wardrobe.

The Economist

Data on the sex ratio at birth are scanty, because many births are not registered.

The Economist

The first of these is hampered by scanty foundations: Russia's rulers have shown an unpleasant taste for persecuting the brightest and best, sending them into exile, or simply having them murdered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scanty", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking or insufficient. For instance, "scanty evidence" implies a lack of supporting proof.

Common error

Avoid using "scanty" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "limited", "insufficient", or "inadequate" might be more appropriate to convey the specific nuance of the deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "scanty" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that something is less than needed or expected in quantity, size, or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scanty" is an adjective used to describe something that is insufficient or less than expected, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is commonly found in News & Media contexts and serves to highlight a deficiency or lack. Related terms include "limited", "meager", and "scarce", offering similar nuances. When using "scanty", it's crucial to ensure clarity in what exactly is lacking. While the term is generally neutral, more precise alternatives may be preferred in formal writing. Be mindful not to overuse in formal writing, where ""limited"", "insufficient" or "inadequate" are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited

Emphasizes a restriction or constraint on the quantity or extent.

meager

Suggests a small and often inadequate amount, implying a deficiency.

scarce

Highlights the rarity or unavailability of something, making it difficult to find or obtain.

paltry

Indicates an insignificant or trivial amount, often viewed with contempt.

insufficient

Directly states that something is not enough or adequate for a particular purpose.

inadequate

Similar to insufficient, but can also imply a lack of quality or suitability.

sparse

Describes something thinly distributed or scattered, lacking density or abundance.

deficient

Focuses on a specific lack or shortcoming, highlighting a specific need that is not met.

skimpy

Implies that something is deliberately made smaller or less generous than expected.

short

A general term indicating a lack of something, whether in quantity, time, or distance.

FAQs

How to use "scanty" in a sentence?

You can use "scanty" to describe something that is less than what is needed or expected. For example, "The information available was "limited" and the details were "scarce"".

What can I say instead of "scanty"?

You can use alternatives like ""limited"", "meager", or ""scarce"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scanty" or "scant"?

"Scanty" and "scant" are both adjectives with similar meanings, but "scanty" often implies a smaller amount than "scant". "Scant" can also be used as an adverb, which "scanty" cannot.

What's the difference between "scanty" and "sparse"?

"Scanty" implies a small or inadequate amount, while "sparse" suggests that something is thinly distributed or scattered. For example, you might have "scanty resources" but "sparse vegetation".