scarce capital

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce capital" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing limited financial resources or investment funds available for projects or businesses. Example: "Due to the economic downturn, many startups are struggling to secure scarce capital for their operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

During this boom scarce capital has been squandered.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this is not a good use of scarce capital.

The New York Times

Old loans weigh on scarce capital, limiting the scope for new ones.

The Economist

The risk manager was expressing the imperative of any private institution to use scarce capital efficiently.

The Economist

High dividends are often seen in corporate-finance theory as a wasteful use of scarce capital.

The Economist

If that happens, economists will stop worrying about scarce assets and start fretting about scarce capital.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Hidden behind the exports, a new economic model is being born, signaling a more efficient allocation of scarcer capital.

Forbes

Overindebted firms struggle to grow and invest, while tying up scarce bank capital, which impedes lending to worthier borrowers.

The Economist

For as long as the threat of a euro exit hangs over Greece, credit will be scarce, foreign capital will stay away and investment will stall.

The Economist

The result is that scarce investment capital and other resources remain tied up indefinitely in businesses so unproductive that the finished goods they produce may be worth even less than the raw materials they use.

The New York Times

Carlos Mulas Granados is the man in charge of drafting the election manifesto for the Spanish PSOE and he spoke thoughtfully about a new green industrial revolution, the expansion of rights for minorities, and of the responsibility to re-capitalise Africa rather than draining it of scarce human capital.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policies or financial constraints, use "scarce capital" to highlight the limited availability of funds for investment and growth. This emphasizes the need for efficient allocation and strategic decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "scarce capital" in contexts where 'limited resources' or 'insufficient funds' would be more appropriate. Reserve the phrase for discussions specifically related to financial investments, economic development, and capital markets.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce capital" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'scarce' modifies 'capital'. It typically describes a situation where financial resources are limited. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarce capital" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote limited financial resources, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly used in news, business, and scientific contexts, it effectively communicates economic constraints and the need for strategic financial planning. While widely accepted, it should be reserved for financial contexts to avoid misapplication. Alternatives like "limited funds" or "capital shortage" can be used to vary the phrasing while retaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited capital

Replaces "scarce" with a direct synonym, maintaining the core meaning of restricted financial resources.

limited funds

Substitutes "capital" with "funds", offering a more general term for financial resources.

restricted capital

Emphasizes the constraint on capital availability.

limited investment

Focuses on the limited amount of capital available for investment purposes.

lack of capital

Highlights the deficiency in capital, framing it as an absence rather than a scarcity.

capital shortage

Uses a noun phrase to describe the situation of insufficient capital.

tight capital

Implies that capital is difficult to access or obtain due to restrictive conditions.

meager capital

Suggests that the capital available is not only limited but also insufficient for intended purposes.

dwindling capital

Highlights a declining trend in the availability of capital, emphasizing the erosion of resources.

inadequate capital

Focuses on the capital being insufficient to meet the demands or requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "scarce capital" in a sentence?

You can use "scarce capital" to describe situations where there is a limited supply of funds available for investment or economic activity, for example: "The company struggled to expand due to "scarce capital"."

What are some alternatives to "scarce capital"?

Alternatives to "scarce capital" include "limited funds", "restricted capital", or "capital shortage", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "scarce capital" or "scarce resources"?

"Scarce capital" specifically refers to limited financial resources, while "scarce resources" is a broader term that can encompass any limited resources, including natural resources, labor, or time. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the context.

What does "scarce capital" imply about investment decisions?

"Scarce capital" often implies that investment decisions must be made carefully and strategically, prioritizing projects with the highest potential returns or the most critical impact due to the limited availability of funds.