scarcely an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely an example" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are very few instances or examples of something, often implying that what is being referred to is not typical or significant. Example: "In the vast landscape of literature, this book is scarcely an example of the genre's best work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is worth remembering, however, that quantity is not everything: in the 1990s the biggest investor relative to national income was Japan, scarcely an example to follow.Besides ministers' worries about investment, there is some evidence to back up their belief that Britain is not as innovative or entrepreneurial as other countries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Asked to choose between her rights and those of – to choose a scarcely hypothetical example – a black one-legged lesbian on benefits, our judiciary would inevitably come down on the side of the latter".

The Guardian - Books

"Al Qaeda may not be encumbered by constitutional limitations on its power, but unlike the O.M.B. director, I would scarcely argue that Al Qaeda sets an example for this government to follow".

The New York Times

Fig. 3 An example of an old house that scarcely survived in the eastern part of the DCA   4.

Earth, Planets and Space

It was scarcely an existence.

The Guardian - Opinion

That was scarcely an exaggeration.

The Guardian - Books

Kenya was scarcely an exception.

The Guardian - Opinion

The omnipresence of Big Brother is scarcely an upper.

The New York Times

As destinations go, Svalbard is scarcely an oversubscribed holiday favourite.

Independent

Pakistan has sought to convey an image of moderation for several days now, scarcely reacting, for example, to the expulsion of its ambassador in New Delhi on Saturday.

The New York Times

You can scarcely have a starker example of art that lures the eye, only to punish the mind with terrible knowledge.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely an example", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the subject is failing to exemplify. This adds precision and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely an example" when you mean to convey complete absence. "Scarcely" implies rarity or inadequacy, not non-existence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function is to act as a qualifier, diminishing the strength or validity of something as an example. It combines an adverb of degree ("scarcely") with an indefinite article ("an") and a noun ("example") to express that something barely meets the criteria of being an example. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is valid and used in respected publications, showcasing its role in expressing rarity or inadequacy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely an example" serves to diminish the strength or validity of a subject as a representative instance, with "scarcely" implying rarity or inadequacy. It is grammatically correct. Usage leans towards neutral to formal contexts, and most commonly appears in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. For alternatives, consider "hardly a case", "rarely a model", or "atypical instance". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and used in respected publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly a case

Replaces "scarcely" with "hardly", indicating a similar degree of infrequency or improbability.

rarely a model

Substitutes "scarcely" with "rarely", emphasizing the infrequency of the example being a model to follow.

infrequently a demonstration

Uses "infrequently" instead of "scarcely", highlighting the lack of regular occurrence.

barely a prototype

Employs "barely", suggesting that the example only marginally qualifies as a prototype.

seldom a specimen

Replaces "scarcely" with "seldom", indicating that the example is not often seen as a specimen.

notably absent as a pattern

Shifts the focus to absence as a pattern, rather than the weakness of the example itself.

hardly representative

Focuses on the lack of representativeness instead of the quality of the example.

atypical instance

Uses "atypical" to describe the instance, emphasizing its deviation from the norm.

uncharacteristic illustration

Highlights that the illustration is out of character or not typical.

deficient in exemplifying

Indicates that the example lacks the qualities needed to properly exemplify something.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcely an example" in a sentence?

Use "scarcely an example" to indicate that something is a poor or rare instance of what it's supposed to be. For example, "This poorly written book is scarcely an example of quality literature".

What does "scarcely" mean in the phrase "scarcely an example"?

"Scarcely" means barely, hardly, or only just. Therefore, "scarcely an example" means that something is only barely or with difficulty considered an example.

What are some alternatives to saying "scarcely an example"?

You could say "hardly a case", "rarely a model", or "atypical instance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "scarcely an example"?

Yes, "scarcely an example" is grammatically correct and used to indicate something that barely qualifies as an example. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing instances of its use in respected publications.