scarce choices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce choices" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are very few options available. Example: "In this market, consumers are faced with scarce choices when it comes to eco-friendly products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it has more to do with the scarce choices available to domestic banks, the only permitted bidders.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the context of a predicted further increase in diagnostic and interventional contrast studies and a still scarce choice of prophylactic treatment options, research regarding MBL and the lectin pathway in CIN seems to be promising in our opinion.

BioMed Research International

But work is scarce.

The Guardian

With it and the other inventive dishes on the menu come wines from a 91-page list -- wines from France and Australia and Italy, Germany and California and Oregon, including runs of older vintages of Stag's Leap Cask 23 and Silver Oak cabernet sauvignons; Grange shiraz from South Australia and choice, scarce Leonettis from Washington.

The New York Times - Food

Finally, Beijing needs to stop relying on technology to avoid making hard choices about scarce resources.

The New York Times

They would make the wrong choices with scarce resources because they believe in protecting the interests of a different set of people.

The Guardian

Only a few, like Charging Elk and his friend Strikes Plenty, refuse to give up the old ways, until the buffalo become scarce and the only choices left seem to be slow starvation or the degrading life of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The New York Times - Books

A new generation of politicians who grew up in an age of prosperity has ceased to think of politics in terms of hard choices and scarce resources; Mr. Cameron belongs to that generation.

The New York Times

Despite growing evidence supporting the utility of front-of-pack nutrition labels in enabling consumer evaluation of food product healthiness, research on food choices is scarce.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

The issue of the allocation of scarce resources means that choices must be made which may result in the nonreimbursement of certain procedures, for example, bone density measurement when performed in the private sector as a preventive measure, and the imposition of limits on the frequency for which they can be reimbursed, such as mammography for cancer screening purposes.

European Journal of Health Economics

Current food labels include comprehensive nutritional information, but evaluations of their effects on judgments of nutritional quality and food choice are scarce.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "scarce choices" with specific examples to illustrate the limited nature of the options, making your argument or description more compelling.

Common error

Avoid using "scarce choices" in overly broad contexts without providing specifics. Instead, clarify the domain in which the choices are limited to prevent ambiguity. Vague statements dilute the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce choices" functions as a noun phrase, where 'scarce' modifies 'choices'. It describes the limited availability or lack of options in a given situation. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarce choices" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes situations with limited options. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. Related phrases include "limited options" and "few alternatives". When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoiding overgeneralization and ensuring the intended meaning is effectively communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited options

Focuses on the restricted number of available choices.

few alternatives

Highlights the lack of different possibilities or solutions.

restricted choices

Emphasizes the constraints placed on available options.

narrow selection

Refers to a limited variety of items or possibilities to choose from.

limited selection

Indicates a reduced range of items or options.

few possibilities

Stresses the dearth of potential options.

restricted options

Highlights the constraints on available possibilities.

limited alternatives

Focuses on the lack of different solutions or courses of action.

slim pickings

Implies a poor or meager selection of choices.

reduced options

Points to a decrease in the number of available choices.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarce choices" to describe situations where there are limited options available, such as "In this market, consumers are faced with scarce choices when it comes to eco-friendly products."

What are some alternatives to "scarce choices"?

Some alternatives to "scarce choices" include "limited options", "few alternatives", or "restricted choices".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "scarce choices"?

The phrase "scarce choices" is suitable in contexts discussing resource allocation, market availability, or decision-making processes where the range of options is limited.

What does "scarce choices" imply about a particular situation?

The phrase "scarce choices" implies that there is a deficiency or limitation in the available options, which may necessitate careful consideration or compromise in decision-making.