scarce quantities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce quantities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is available in limited amounts or is hard to find. Example: "Due to the recent supply chain issues, we are currently experiencing scarce quantities of certain raw materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The LSV2 dataset used here included scarce quantities of LSV2-relevant data.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

[ 7- 11] The lack of support for homeopathic therapies among Western practitioners stems, in part, from the scarce quantity and perceived poor quality of homeopathic clinical research.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

As ever, there are no cooking times and quantities are scarce.

The New Yorker

An astute observer of the trade ties binding the various parts of the British Empire, he wrote in 1763 that extant high duties on molasses (payment of which was widely flouted by New England merchants) would have significantly harmed the economies of Britain, North America, and the West Indies, in part by diverting significant quantities of scarce hard currency to those duties.

Wikipedia

The deployment of gene microarrays can help obviate these challenges since only small quantities of scarce microbial tissues are required for preparation of targets for microarray analysis.

BMC Genomics

Application of computer-designed surgical templates, as described in this technical advanced article, aid in predictable implant placement in oligodontia where bone quantity is scarce and interdental spaces are limited.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

"This time, the demand is high, but the quantity is scarce".

Vice

They now grow large quantities of previously scarce vegetables, like lettuce, and tropical varieties of fruit like cupuaçu, which is oblong, has a white pulp and is found in the Amazon basin.

The New York Times

A1 SIDE EFFECTS -- As the government negotiates to procure enough smallpox vaccine to inoculate every American, officials say a separate effort is under way to obtain large quantities of the scarce medicine to treat people with adverse reactions to the vaccine.

The New York Times

Butter and lard, especially after the terrible mortality during the Black Death made them less scarce, were used in considerable quantities in the northern and northwestern regions, especially in the Low Countries.

Wikipedia

Not surprisingly, developing countries themselves "will not allocate scarce resources to stockpile significant quantities of oseltamivir for an unpredictable influenza pandemic" (1 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarce quantities", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking and why it is important. For instance, 'Due to the drought, we have scarce quantities of water available for irrigation'.

Common error

Avoid using "scarce quantities" when referring to things that are generally abundant. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a specific shortage or deficiency in a particular context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce quantities" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the amount or number of something is limited or insufficient. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a context where something is hard to find.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarce quantities" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of something. While Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. Primarily found in scientific articles, news reports, and encyclopedic content, the phrase serves to emphasize scarcity. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what is lacking and why that scarcity matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited amounts

Focuses on the restricted amount available, highlighting the insufficiency.

limited quantities

Replaces 'scarce' with 'limited', keeping the same structure and meaning.

meager amounts

Emphasizes the smallness of the amount available, suggesting a deficiency.

small quantities

Highlights the smallness of the quantity rather than the scarcity.

insufficient quantities

Indicates that the quantities are not enough to meet the demand or need.

dearth of quantities

Uses 'dearth' to express a lack, indicating scarcity in a more formal tone.

paucity of quantities

Similar to 'dearth', suggesting a significant lack of the specified quantities.

short supply

Indicates that the availability is low, focusing on the supply aspect.

in short supply

Adds a preposition to 'short supply' for a more grammatically sound phrase in certain contexts.

limited availability

Shifts the focus to the general availability rather than specific quantities.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarce quantities" to describe a situation where something is limited or in short supply. For example, "Due to the drought, there were "scarce quantities" of water available for irrigation".

What are some alternatives to "scarce quantities"?

Alternatives to "scarce quantities" include "limited amounts", "small quantities", or "insufficient quantities" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "scarce quantity" instead of "scarce quantities"?

While "scarce quantity" can be grammatically correct, it's more common to use "scarce quantities" when referring to multiple instances or units of something that is lacking. "Scarce quantity" is better suited for a single, indivisible item.

What is the difference between "scarce quantities" and "limited resources"?

"Scarce quantities" typically refers to a specific item or resource that is lacking in amount. "Limited resources" is a broader term that encompasses all types of resources (including materials, funding, and personnel) that are not available in unlimited amounts.