scarcely anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely anything" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is very little or almost nothing of something. Example: "After the storm, there was scarcely anything left of the old barn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Today the east has scarcely anything to offer in cultural terms, while the west has everything.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a counterblast to prevailing notions about age, there is scarcely anything to compare.

Independent

But scarcely anything in the show feels like filler or fails to enthrall.

The New Yorker

In the years that have followed, however, scarcely anything has changed in the City.

The Guardian - Books

For subtlety of carving and true regal dignity scarcely anything of later date surpasses the diorite statue of Khafre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of the old and famous city scarcely anything now remains except for part of the Portuguese fort.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

His mother is an invalid, and scarcely says anything to her.

The New Yorker

I have been listening to orchestras for over 50 years and can scarcely recall anything like it.

The New York Times - Arts

"Personality," they wrote, "scarcely signifies anything more than shining white teeth and freedom from body odour and emotions".

The Guardian - Books

An Indian nuclear scientist could scarcely say anything more damning.The Indian government has argued that the deal is purely about India's energy needs.

The Economist

With the recurrence of passages (which scarcely gain anything from being read in context) such as "The loft scene was Derrick Carter, Lego, Spencer Kincy, Diz, all those cats.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely anything" to emphasize a near absence or minimal existence of something, adding a subtle nuance to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "scarcely anything" can make your writing sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost nothing" in casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely anything" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating a minimal quantity or degree. It suggests that the amount or extent of something is very small, almost non-existent. As confirmed by Ludwig, the usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcely anything" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a minimal amount or near absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a versatile phrase suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and scientific writing. While it can add a touch of formality, it's essential to consider simpler alternatives like "almost nothing" in more casual settings. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources and carries a subtle nuance that can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly anything

Replaces "scarcely" with "hardly", a synonym indicating a small amount.

barely anything

Substitutes "scarcely" with "barely", suggesting the minimal existence of something.

almost nothing

Replaces the entire phrase with a direct equivalent expressing near absence.

virtually nothing

Uses "virtually" to emphasize the near absence of something.

next to nothing

Emphasizes the insignificance of the amount.

little or nothing

Expresses the lack of quantity more explicitly.

practically nothing

Uses "practically" to convey the idea that something is close to being absent.

negligible amount

Shifts from adverbial phrase to noun phrase, focusing on the amount.

a minimum amount

Expresses the low quantity of the subject.

a very small amount

Describes the subject as being of very small quantity.

FAQs

What does "scarcely anything" mean?

The phrase "scarcely anything" means almost nothing or very little. It emphasizes the minimal quantity or near absence of something.

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

You can use "scarcely anything" to describe situations where there is very little of something. For example: "After the fire, there was "scarcely anything" left of the house."

Which is a better choice: "scarcely anything" or "hardly anything"?

Both "scarcely anything" and "hardly anything" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What can I say instead of "scarcely anything"?

You can use alternatives like "almost nothing", "barely anything", or "virtually nothing" depending on the context.