scarce access to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce access to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is limited availability or opportunity to obtain something. Example: "In rural areas, there is often scarce access to healthcare services, making it difficult for residents to receive necessary medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A 2010 report from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs detailed a woeful shortage of services for LGBT violence victims – including scarce access to shelters.

The New York Times

"This year, La Guajira suffered a prolonged drought of nine months," said Lyda Forero, a researcher at TNI. "In our talks with the communities, we saw people had very scarce access to water, while the mine continued consuming, and drying up, the wells and sources".

The Guardian

The heavy seasonal rains, earthquakes and other severe weather events over the past years have devastated infrastructure throughout Ecuador, Peru and neighboring countries, displacing millions of people and limiting already scarce access to clean water.

Forbes

Not being in the right place at the right time causes lots of problems and inconveniences — from long-distance relationships to traffic-filled commutes, rural isolation to scarce access to art and entertainment.

TechCrunch

Mpesa was created to transfer money among people with scarce access to formal banking and no credit cards.

Huffington Post

In the dozens of refugee camps now surrounding Syria, food remains scarce, access to sanitation and clean water is limited, and diseases like polio -- on the verge of eradication worldwide -- have resurfaced.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fearing higher interest rates and scarcer access to capital, many emerging-market governments have also criticised the plan.

The Economist

If funds become scarcer, access to education will continue to stagnate and the quality of schools will decline, denying the most vulnerable children in the world's poorest countries their basic human right to quality education: without it, their future opportunities are dramatically limited.

Unicef

Now, states have a scarce resource - access to the fund - and companies bid against each other for the scarce public resource.

HuffPost

"The networks hold a scarce commodity, access to mass audiences in an attractive environment, but with the economy weighing heavily on the shoulders of advertisers, and a strike, the buyers have a stronger hand".

The New York Times

And because that works, it's also possible to manufacture more medically useful substances, like drugs and vaccines, in hot developing countries where manufacturing facilities are scarce and access to medicine is limited by a cold chain.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a shortage, use "scarce access to" followed by the specific resource or service to provide clarity. For example: "scarce access to clean water".

Common error

While "scarce access to" is correct, using it repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "limited access to" or "restricted access to" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce access to" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun. It indicates a limited or insufficient availability of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to describe the limited availability of opportunity to obtain something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarce access to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a limitation or deficiency in the availability of resources or opportunities. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the resource or service to which access is limited, and consider synonyms like "limited access to" or "restricted access to" to avoid repetition. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for diverse audiences while primarily appearing in reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited access to

Focuses on the constraint in availability, similar to "scarce", but more direct.

restricted access to

Emphasizes the limitations or controls placed on access.

inadequate access to

Highlights the insufficiency or lack of proper access.

insufficient access to

Similar to inadequate, but may imply a measurable shortfall.

rare access to

Suggests that access is infrequent or uncommon.

meager access to

Indicates a small or deficient amount of access.

poor access to

Describes the low quality or difficulty of obtaining access.

minimal access to

Highlights the extremely reduced level of access.

deficient access to

Similar to inadequate, but emphasizes a lack or absence.

scant access to

Emphasizes the very small amount or degree of access available.

FAQs

How can I use "scarce access to" in a sentence?

You can use "scarce access to" to describe situations where something is not readily available. For example: "The community had "scarce access to" medical care".

What's a good alternative to "scarce access to"?

Alternatives include "limited access to", "restricted access to", or "inadequate access to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scarce access to" formal or informal?

"Scarce access to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

What does "scarce access to" mean?

It means that something is not easily available or obtainable. The term "scarce" implies a deficiency or shortage of something that is needed or desired.