scarcely cover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely cover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only just sufficient or barely adequate in relation to what is needed or expected. Example: "The funds raised for the project will scarcely cover the expenses we anticipate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The paycheck scarcely covered her car payments, she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Lotwin, who was Mr. Stern's lawyer, said the case was scarcely covered in the news media.

The New York Times - Style

Add in some $5 sandwiches and a tank of gas, and the romp was scarcely covered by her pawn.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though it was a small event, scarcely covered beyond the trades, An American View, in retrospect, came to represent something far more meaningful in New York fashion.

The New York Times

Far from providing spare money to use for lobbying campaigns, the average grant scarcely covers the cost of the activity it's intended to fund.

The Guardian

Until recently, the Egyptian news media, cowed by the ruling generals' investigations of journalists and bloggers who were deemed to "insult" the institution of the military, scarcely covered the charges.

The New York Times

Younger, tanned, and dressed in a dark suit, Kennedy appeared to overshadow the more haggard, gray-suited Nixon, whose hastily applied makeup job scarcely covered his late-in-the-day stubble of facial hair.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These can have a special resonance for the parents among us, but there have also been images of the airline passengers' bodies in Ukraine, scarcely covered by black plastic sheets.

The Guardian

His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath … his eyes seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set … the beauty of my dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.

The Guardian - Books

Some of this manufacturing scarcely covers its costs.

Forbes

Eritrea is scarcely covered in the news, for not only is it a small country with seemingly minimal influence, it is incredibly hermitic.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely cover", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being covered and the sense of near-insufficiency. For example, "The grant will scarcely cover the basic equipment needed for the experiment."

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely cover" when something isn't covered at all. This phrase implies a minimal level of coverage, not a complete absence of it. If something isn't covered, use phrases like "doesn't cover" or "fails to cover".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely cover" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is barely sufficient or almost inadequate to meet a particular need or requirement. The examples in Ludwig AI show that this phrase is often used in contexts where resources or provisions are limited.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely cover" is used to express that something is only just enough, emphasizing the near inadequacy. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business. While "scarcely cover" isn't extremely common, it is a useful phrase for conveying a sense of limitation or precariousness. Remember to use it when something is barely sufficient, not entirely absent, and to adjust the verb form based on the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely cover

Indicates an almost inadequate level of coverage; emphasizes just meeting a minimum requirement.

hardly cover

Expresses a similar sense of inadequacy in coverage, suggesting a near failure to meet requirements.

scarcely provide for

Shifts the focus to providing necessities but maintains the sense of insufficiency.

just manage to cover

Highlights the effort involved in achieving minimal coverage; emphasizes the narrow margin.

only just cover

Similar to "just manage to cover", but with more emphasis on the limited extent of the coverage.

inadequately cover

Directly states the coverage is not sufficient; useful in formal contexts.

insufficiently cover

A more formal way of saying something is not covered adequately; suitable for professional or academic writing.

fall short of covering

Emphasizes the failure to completely cover something; suggests a notable gap.

marginally cover

Indicates coverage is achieved but only by a small amount; implies limited surplus or buffer.

narrowly cover

Highlights the tightness of the coverage; suggests there's little room for error or unexpected costs.

FAQs

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

Use "scarcely cover" to indicate that something only just manages to meet a requirement or is barely sufficient. For example, "The small salary will "barely cover" living expenses."

What are some alternatives to "scarcely cover"?

Alternatives include "barely cover", "hardly cover", or "insufficiently cover", each conveying a similar sense of near inadequacy.

Is it correct to say "scarcely covers" instead of "scarcely cover"?

The form depends on the subject. Use "scarcely covers" with singular subjects (e.g., "The budget scarcely covers the costs"), and "scarcely cover" with plural subjects (e.g., "The donations scarcely cover the expenses").

What's the difference between "scarcely cover" and "fully cover"?

"Scarcely cover" implies a minimal level of coverage, suggesting something is only just adequate. "Fully cover", on the other hand, means that something is completely adequate and meets all requirements. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.