scarce opportunities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce opportunities" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of opportunities available to someone. Example 1: "In this small, rural town, there are scarce opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams." Example 2: "Due to the current economic climate, job seekers are faced with scarce opportunities for stable employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Several Hindus said quotas for Muslims were unnecessary and would dilute already scarce opportunities for lower-caste Hindus.

The New York Times

In recent years, fatal breakdowns in Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup races undermined the sport's scarce opportunities to build a fan base on television.

The New York Times - Sports

With few role models and scarce opportunities to swim, too many black children see swimming as an inaccessible and uninviting sport.

The Washington Post

A principal argument for shorter hours that gained prominence during the 1930s was the notion that scarce opportunities for gainful employment ought to be shared among the largest possible number of workers.

Britannica

Almost all the characters in "The Piano Lesson" are in uneasy transition, pushing forward into an uncertain future even as they are tugged backward by the past, caught up in the process of discovering or reinventing themselves in a country that still offers scarce opportunities for black Americans.

The New York Times

Fusing these two bookends of the workforce, so that they complement each other instead of competing for the same scarce opportunities, is critical to economic security.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

One thing it certainly provides is a scarce opportunity to walk a solid distance in Manhattan (and I did a lot of walking there) without having to stop for lots and lots of cars.

The Guardian

But if you view the world as having very limited opportunities for promotion, and you get rejected from this one scarce opportunity, then this rejection becomes much more significant (and potentially debilitating).

Forbes

"NCM represents a scarce opportunity for China Literature to extend its content capabilities downstream, enabling it to participate further along the IP value chain and enhance the services it can bring to its writers as well as its users.

TechCrunch

I would recommend that the founders stay mindful of the tyranny of incrementalism— every small decision itself will feel rational, but in aggregate those decisions burn your scarce opportunity.

TechCrunch

In a world where 1.2 billion youth are unemployed across the world, wealth inequality is increasing and class divisions are deepening, work itself has become a scarce opportunity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing socio-economic disparities, use "scarce opportunities" to highlight systemic limitations. For example, "Communities with limited resources often face scarce opportunities for economic advancement".

Common error

Avoid using "scarce opportunities" as a generic stand-in for all types of limitations. Be specific about the type of opportunities that are lacking (e.g., "scarce educational opportunities" instead of just "scarce opportunities").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce opportunities" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes a situation where the availability of opportunities is limited or insufficient. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarce opportunities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that highlights a lack of available possibilities or chances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. The primary function is to describe a deficiency, and it's often used to explain socio-economic challenges. Related phrases such as "limited possibilities" and "restricted chances" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's important to be specific about the type of opportunities being discussed to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited possibilities

Focuses on the constraints or restrictions of potential avenues.

restricted chances

Emphasizes the reduced availability of opportunities.

meager prospects

Highlights the lack of promising outlooks.

few alternatives

Points out the limited number of options available.

rare openings

Underscores the infrequency of available positions or situations.

deficient resources

Emphasizes the inadequacy of resources needed to create opportunities.

inadequate means

Highlights the lack of sufficient means to achieve desired opportunities.

slim hope

Focuses on the unlikelihood or difficulty of achieving desired outcomes or opportunities.

limited scope

Emphasizes constraints on the extent of activity or influence.

few paths

Focuses on a reduced number of ways to achieve a goal or ambition.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarce opportunities" to describe situations where there are limited possibilities for advancement or success. For instance, "Due to budget cuts, there are "scarce opportunities" for training this year".

What phrases are similar to "scarce opportunities"?

Similar phrases include "limited possibilities", "restricted chances", and "meager prospects", all conveying a lack of available options.

Is it better to use "scarce opportunities" or "limited opportunities"?

Both "scarce opportunities" and "limited opportunities" are correct and often interchangeable. "Scarce" emphasizes rarity or deficiency, while "limited" emphasizes a restricted quantity or extent. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What factors contribute to "scarce opportunities" in a community?

Factors can include economic downturns, lack of investment in education and infrastructure, discriminatory practices, and geographic isolation, all of which can lead to "scarce opportunities" for residents.