scarce quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarce quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of something, often in contexts related to resources or availability. Example: "Due to the recent drought, the region is facing a scarce quantity of water, which has raised concerns among local farmers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

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

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

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 describing a shortage, use "scarce quantity" to emphasize both the limited availability and the significance of the amount needed. For instance, "The project was delayed due to a "scarce quantity" of specialized materials".

Common error

Avoid using "scarce quantity" when you simply mean something is difficult to find. "Scarce quantity" specifically refers to the amount available, not necessarily the ease of acquisition. Consider using "rare" or "uncommon" if availability isn't the primary issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarce quantity" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "scarce" describes the noun "quantity", indicating that the amount of something is limited or insufficient. As Ludwig AI points out, it can be used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarce quantity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While not extremely common, it finds its place in scientific, news, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, remember that it specifically refers to the limited amount available rather than general difficulty in obtaining something. For similar concepts, consider alternatives like "limited amount" or "insufficient supply".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited amount

Focuses on the restricted size or extent, less emphasis on scarcity.

insufficient supply

Highlights the inadequacy of the available resources to meet demands.

meager portion

Suggests a small and often unsatisfactory amount, implying inadequacy.

limited stock

Emphasizes the finite nature of the available items or goods.

dearth of resources

Implies a significant lack or absence of necessary provisions.

paucity of materials

Highlights the scarcity of essential components or ingredients.

restricted volume

Focuses on the limited capacity or amount that is available.

exiguous number

Indicates a very small and inadequate count of items or individuals.

deficient amount

Stresses the inadequacy or incompleteness of the provided quantity.

inadequate provision

Highlights the lack of sufficient measures or resources to meet needs.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarce quantity" to describe situations where there is a limited amount of something available. For example: "Due to the drought, there is a "scarce quantity" of water available for irrigation".

What are some alternatives to "scarce quantity"?

Some alternatives include "limited amount", "insufficient supply", or "meager portion", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "scarce quantity" or "limited quantity"?

"Scarce quantity" emphasizes the rarity and potential difficulty in obtaining the amount needed, while "limited quantity" simply indicates a restriction in the amount available. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "scarce quantity"?

Avoid using "scarce quantity" when the issue is not the amount, but the quality, cost, or accessibility. In such cases, other phrases such as "poor quality", "expensive", or "inaccessible" would be more appropriate.