scarcely credible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely credible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to believe or seems unlikely to be true. Example: "The story he told was so outrageous that it was scarcely credible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Droughts, too, look scarcely credible as culprits.

The Economist

What happened next was scarcely credible.

The Guardian - Sport

Even their selection process was scarcely credible.

The Guardian - Sport

Even then Bolt looked sensational, unbeatable, scarcely credible.

The Guardian - Sport

The prioritisation of what matters is scarcely credible.

The Guardian - Opinion

The excuses – it was all down to unseasonably warm weather –are also scarcely credible.

Independent

The bank's strategy of blaming one current employee for the Executive Life affair is scarcely credible.

The Economist

This is scarcely credible given the risks a Brexit poses to the UK economy.

Independent

The former handicapper had graduated to exalted company in cicumstances that were scarcely credible.

The Times

If the semi-final was scarcely credible, this was even less so.

The Guardian - Sport

That the Germans swallow this seems scarcely credible, but they do.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "scarcely credible", consider whether a slightly weaker term like "unlikely" or a stronger term like "impossible" might be more appropriate to accurately convey your intended meaning.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "scarcely credible" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "hard to believe" or "unbelievable" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely credible" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to express a lack of conviction or a high degree of doubt regarding the truthfulness or plausibility of something. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to question the believability of events, claims, or explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

17%

Books

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcely credible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that expresses a strong sense of doubt or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport, and Books contexts, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for formal and informal communication alike. While alternatives like "hardly believable" or "barely plausible" exist, "scarcely credible" offers a distinct nuance, implying something is just barely believable. Its consistent presence in authoritative sources reinforces its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly believable

Replaces "scarcely" with "hardly", maintaining a similar level of disbelief.

beggars belief

An idiomatic expression meaning something is so extraordinary it is hard to believe.

barely plausible

Uses "barely" instead of "scarcely" and "plausible" instead of "credible", suggesting a minimal level of believability.

defies belief

Implies that something is so unlikely that it cannot be believed.

strains credulity

Emphasizes the degree to which something tests the limits of believability.

taxes belief

Similar to "strains credulity", highlighting the challenge to one's belief.

difficult to accept

Focuses on the challenge of accepting something as true, rather than its inherent credibility.

verges on the unbelievable

Indicates that something is close to being completely unbelievable.

pushes the boundaries of belief

Highlights that something challenges what is considered believable.

seems improbable

Suggests that something is unlikely to be true or to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarcely credible" to describe events, excuses, or claims that are difficult to believe. For example, "His excuse for being late was "scarcely credible"." or "The witness's testimony was so inconsistent it was "scarcely credible"".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely credible"?

Some alternatives to "scarcely credible" include "hardly believable", "barely plausible", or "difficult to accept" depending on the context.

Is "scarcely credible" the same as "not credible"?

While both phrases express doubt, ""scarcely credible"" suggests something is just barely believable, whereas "not credible" indicates a complete lack of believability.

What makes something "scarcely credible"?

Something might be ""scarcely credible"" if it contradicts known facts, lacks supporting evidence, or is highly improbable based on experience. It suggests a very low degree of believability.