scarce few

USAGE SUMMARY

'scarce few' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is an expression that means there are very few of something. For example, you could say, "With the expansive population and limited resources, there are a scarce few hours available to properly rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As Skepta suggests, directly, "There are scarce few things that have happened in grime that haven't involved me in some way or another".

The Guardian - Music

Existing progressive groups like the Israel Policy Forum issued position papers or agitated for a change in policy; but scarce few did the yeoman labor of lobbying.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although long-term data on the subject is scarce, few living kidney donors are thought to suffer lasting physical or psychological effects.

The New York Times - Health

A view, as it happened, scarce few outside eyes had ever seen.

BBC

Shares of Microsoft slipped 3.0% on Friday, as GE's earnings doomed all but a scarce few of the Dow's components to fall.

Forbes

Shares of Microsoft slipped 3% Friday, as GE's earnings doomed all but a scarce few of the Dow's components to a drop.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Throughout the continent, receivers remained scarce (fewer than 5 per 100 people), especially outside large cities.

Britannica

In Venezuela, where the economy is in a slump and foreign currency is scarce, fewer hostages can pay big-dollar ransoms, says a negotiator from Terra Firma.

The Economist

Even these visitors, however, are scarce: fewer than 4,000 short-stay heli-tourists visited Kronotsky in 2012, paltry in comparison to the nearly three million who visit Yellowstone's Old Faithful.

BBC

The expression of selected grapevine genes during P. viticola infection was reported recently [ 21], but there has been no large-scale analysis and pathogen genomic information is also very scarce (fewer than 30 sequences in GenBank).

BMC Genomics

TV sets were scarce and few men spoke English.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarce few" when you want to emphasize both the limited quantity and the difficulty in finding or obtaining something. It suggests that something is not only few in number but also hard to come by.

Common error

Avoid using "scarce few" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be expected. Opt for alternatives like "limited number" or "small minority" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce few" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate a small quantity that is also limited in availability. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in describing limited resources or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarce few" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a small number of something that is also difficult to find or obtain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it's not exceedingly common, with its usage categorized as uncommon. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is appropriate for general use, it may be more suitable to use alternatives such as "limited number" or "small minority" for enhanced clarity and professionalism. Overall, "scarce few" can be a useful phrase when you wish to emphasize both the limited quantity and the difficulty in finding something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare few

Emphasizes the infrequency and exceptionality of the instances.

meager few

Highlights the smallness and scantiness of the quantity.

handful of

Indicates a very small and easily manageable number.

inadequate few

Changes the emphasis to the insufficiency of the quantity rather than its rarity.

a sprinkling of

Suggests a sparse and scattered distribution.

limited number

Focuses on the restriction and constraint in quantity.

a smattering of

Implies a superficial or incomplete representation.

small minority

Shifts the focus to the proportion and relative insignificance.

paltry amount

Conveys a sense of worthlessness or insignificance in the quantity.

negligible quantity

Highlights the insignificance and unimportance of the quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarce few" to emphasize that something is not only limited in quantity but also difficult to find. For example: "There are a "rare few" opportunities like this."

What are some alternatives to "scarce few"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "limited number", "small minority", or ""rare few"".

Is "scarce few" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scarce few" is grammatically correct, although it is not the most common phrase. It is used to indicate a small quantity of something that is also difficult to find.

What is the nuance between "scarce few" and "few"?

While "few" simply indicates a small number, "scarce few" adds the connotation that the small number is also hard to come by or obtain. It implies rarity and difficulty in acquisition.