scarcely accessible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely accessible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to reach or obtain, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The remote village was scarcely accessible during the winter months due to heavy snowfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Finally, Nicaise and Schockaert explicitly approach the question of the extent to which EU-SILC excludes groups of scarcely accessible people affected by poverty; they examine in what ways the items of EU-SILC inadequately document situations of poverty, and furthermore they test an alternative methodology that aims to overcome some of these identified problems.

European Journal of Futures Research

To be an American civilian, then, is to have war as a distant background hum, a known reality that's scarcely accessible and always shrouded in mystifying propaganda and unclear motives.

Vice

Before the establishment of turnpikes, many parts of the county were scarcely accessible..... coal was carried on horses' backs to the distance of fifteen or twenty miles from the colliery; each horse carried about two hundred and half weight.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's hardly accessible.

Independent

Such detailed information, at present only scarcely available, should be made accessible in public genotype-phenotype databases.

Plosone

The sexual commodification of women's and girls' bodies is so commonplace as to pass scarcely noticed, and TV or internet porn are accessible at the push of a button.

The Guardian - Books

Accessible trains!

The New York Times

And they scarcely complained.

University of California, Berkeley

Accessible Yes.

The New York Times

Handicapped accessible.

The New York Times

Wheelchair accessible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely accessible" to describe locations, resources, or information that are difficult, but not impossible, to reach or obtain. It implies a challenge in accessibility rather than a complete barrier.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely accessible" when something is completely inaccessible. The phrase implies a degree of difficulty, not an absolute impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely accessible" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something can be reached or obtained, implying that access is difficult but not entirely impossible. Ludwig examples show its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely accessible" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something difficult, but not impossible, to reach or obtain. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news, science, and wiki contexts. While considered rare in overall frequency, its meaning is clear, conveying a challenge in accessibility rather than a complete barrier. Similar phrases include "hardly accessible" and "difficult to access". When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately portraying the degree of difficulty; it's best suited for situations where access is limited, not entirely prevented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly accessible

Uses "hardly" instead of "scarcely", maintaining a similar level of inaccessibility.

barely reachable

Focuses on the difficulty of reaching something, either physically or figuratively.

difficult to access

More direct and literal, emphasizing the difficulty in gaining access.

remotely accessible

Emphasizes the remoteness as a factor contributing to limited accessibility.

infrequently accessed

Highlights the low frequency of access due to some barrier.

rarely accessible

Similar to "infrequently accessed", indicating that access is uncommon.

limited access

A shorter phrase that means access is restricted or not readily available.

not easily reached

Focuses on the effort required to reach something.

challenging to obtain

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of obtaining something, rather than physical access.

almost inaccessible

Emphasizes a near-complete lack of accessibility.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcely accessible" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcely accessible" to describe something that is difficult to reach or obtain. For example, "The ancient ruins were "hardly accessible" due to the dense jungle" or "The data was "difficult to access" because it was stored on an outdated system".

What phrases are similar to "scarcely accessible"?

Similar phrases include "hardly accessible", "barely reachable", "difficult to access", or "limited access". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "scarcely accessible" in formal writing?

Yes, "scarcely accessible" is suitable for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and conveys a nuanced meaning of limited or challenging accessibility. However, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of difficulty; if something is completely inaccessible, a different phrase would be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "scarcely accessible" and "inaccessible"?

"Scarcely accessible" indicates that something is difficult to reach or obtain, but not entirely impossible. "Inaccessible", on the other hand, means completely unreachable or unobtainable. The subtle difference is in the degree of difficulty versus impossibility.