scarcely exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very rare or almost nonexistent. Example: "In this remote area, modern conveniences scarcely exist, making life quite challenging for the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Family feasts scarcely exist now.

Independent

Males scarcely exist in the species.

Independent

When obstructions scarcely exist, the smooth road beckons.

The New York Times - Arts

Without the Anthora, "Law & Order" could scarcely exist.

The New York Times

Burnett H. Moody/Bruce Coleman Inc. True soils scarcely exist naturally in Kuwait.

Britannica

The daily miseries of the Age of Faith scarcely exist in our Western Age of Fatuity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Officially, Mr. Osso scarcely exists.

The New York Times

Indeed, professionals in the subject scarcely existed.

The Economist

As a concept, "followership" scarcely exists.

The Economist

In the 16th and early 17th centuries, bureaucracies scarcely existed.

Britannica

The playwright abstracts the scene until it scarcely exists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely exist", ensure the context clearly indicates something is nearly non-existent rather than simply uncommon. For example, "Opportunities for advancement scarcely exist in this field" clearly conveys limited chances.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely exist" when something is merely uncommon or rare, but not close to non-existent. Saying "books scarcely exist in his house" is inaccurate if there are a few books; "books are rare" would be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely exist" functions as a qualifier, indicating a low degree of existence. It modifies a noun phrase to express that something is rare or almost nonexistent. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely exist" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys the idea of something being rare or almost nonexistent. According to Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, most prominently in News & Media. While alternatives like "barely exist" or "hardly exist" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to avoid overstating non-existence when something is simply uncommon. Ludwig's analysis confirms that "scarcely exist" is a versatile and effective way to emphasize rarity or near absence in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely exist

Indicates a minimal level of existence, similar to "scarcely exist".

hardly exist

Emphasizes the limited or rare existence of something, synonymous with "scarcely exist".

almost nonexistent

Directly states that something has very little or no existence.

rarely found

Focuses on the infrequency of encountering something, implying it almost doesn't exist.

virtually absent

Indicates a near complete lack of presence, similar to "scarcely exist".

infrequently occur

Highlights the low frequency of occurrence, indicating a scarcity of existence.

seldom present

Suggests that something is not usually seen or found, reflecting its scarce existence.

uncommon to find

Highlights the rarity of discovery, synonymous with "scarcely exist".

few and far between

Emphasizes the rarity and wide separation of instances, implying scarce existence.

in short supply

Implies that something is limited in availability, suggesting a scarce existence.

FAQs

What does "scarcely exist" mean?

The phrase "scarcely exist" means something is rare or almost nonexistent. It implies that instances of something are very few or nearly absent.

What can I say instead of "scarcely exist"?

You can use alternatives like "barely exist", "hardly exist", or "almost nonexistent" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "scarcely exist"?

Yes, "scarcely exist" is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

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

You might say, "Opportunities for advancement scarcely exist in this small town". This indicates that such opportunities are extremely rare in the area.