scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is not plentiful or available in large quantities, and it often carries a negative connotation. For example, "The supplies were so scarce that the group was forced to ration food for the remainder of the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Cauchetier began taking set photographs in the late 1950s, the job was to stand unobtrusively next to the cameraman, take a quick snap at the end of a scene and make yourself scarce.

The Guardian - Arts

"This kind of honest dialogue is essential for identifying shared priorities and deploying scarce resources most efficiently.

The Guardian

Decent jobs are scarce and rags-to-riches stories like Wasswa's are even scarcer.

The Guardian

Wise acknowledges that Northumberland needs to do more to capitalise on its scarce resource and believes the region needs a couple more observatories to ensure that visitors will see what they came for.

The Guardian

A ban on importing engines might also help – they're becoming more scarce, according to a smuggler in Tripoli.

The Guardian

In the mid-1970s, electrinity in rural China was scarce and unreliable, with less than half of the country hooked up to the grid.

The Guardian

Land is scarce here, with farmers, pastoralists (livestock herders) and hunters all vying to survive.

The Guardian

Until last summer, the only record of a scarce tortoiseshell in Britain was a single female seen near Sevenoaks in 1953.

The Guardian

The final nail is to stick your failing economy in a city where housing is scarce and rocketing in price.

The Guardian

Capital expenditure has reportedly been trimmed, state payments to third parties have been postponed and reserve funds of public institutions tapped, but with scarce chances to get the relevant data evidence.

The Guardian - Business

Films about musicians and books about music haven't exactly been scarce in recent years.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resource allocation, use "scarce" to emphasize the need for careful management and prioritization.

Common error

Avoid confusing "scarce", meaning limited, with "scared", meaning frightened. Proofread your work to ensure the correct word is used.

Linguistic Context

The word "scarce" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a limited quantity or availability. This is supported by Ludwig AI and numerous examples, such as "scarce resources" and "scarce opportunities".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "scarce" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting a limited quantity or availability of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using "scarce", it's crucial to convey the sense of deficiency or insufficiency accurately, avoiding confusion with similar-sounding words like "scared". Alternatives such as "limited", "rare", and "in short supply" can provide nuanced variations. Mastering the use of "scarce" helps writers precisely communicate resource constraints and the importance of strategic allocation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in short supply

Emphasizes the insufficient amount available, often implying a temporary shortage.

limited

Indicates a restriction on the quantity or extent of something.

rare

Highlights the infrequency of finding or encountering something.

deficient

Focuses on the inadequacy or lack of something necessary.

unavailable

Indicates that something is not accessible or obtainable.

inadequate

Stresses the insufficiency of something for a particular purpose.

few and far between

Highlights the infrequency and wide distribution of something.

thin on the ground

Indicates that something is sparsely distributed or present.

at a premium

Suggests that something is highly valued due to its limited availability.

tight

Implies that the supply of something is restricted or carefully managed.

FAQs

How can I use "scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "scarce" to describe resources, opportunities, or even time that are limited or in short supply. For example, "Due to the drought, water became increasingly scarce."

What are some alternatives to saying "scarce"?

Alternatives to "scarce" include "limited", "rare", "in short supply", or "unavailable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "scarce and rare"?

While both words imply a lack of abundance, using "scarce and rare" together can be redundant. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey, or rephrase the sentence.

When is it appropriate to use "scarce" instead of "few"?

"Scarce" implies a deficiency or insufficiency, often of something essential or desired. "Few" simply indicates a small number. Use "scarce" when the limited quantity is a problem or concern.