scarcely existent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely existent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely present or has very little existence. Example: "In the vast expanse of the universe, life on other planets may be scarcely existent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Scarcely existent outside of Myanmar, this instrument underwent a renascence in the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scarcely existent Willie, Mr. Shalhoub used his brief words wisely and was no less charming than he is in everything he does.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Family feasts scarcely exist now.

Independent

Whatever is non-existent remains non-existent for ever and whatever is existent always exists.

SEP

Computational modeling in general has been scarcely pursued in morality, and existent non-neural attempts have failed to account for the mental processes involved in morality.

Cognitive Systems Research

Now scarcely 10 per cent are.

Independent

Mr. Tanimoto scarcely answered.

The New Yorker

But it scarcely matters.

The New York Times

Scarcely 2 yrs.

The New Yorker

It scarcely mattered.

Independent

"Scarcely," his colleague replied.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely existent" when you want to emphasize that something has a minimal or barely noticeable presence. It is more formal than alternatives like "barely there".

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely existent" in informal contexts or everyday conversation. Its formality can sound out of place. Consider alternatives like "almost nonexistent" or "rarely present" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely existent" functions as a descriptive modifier, specifying the degree to which something exists. It combines the adverb "scarcely," indicating a small amount or degree, with the adjective "existent," meaning having reality or being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely existent" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that is barely present or has a minimal level of existence. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While it's not a very common phrase, and thus rated as rare in frequency, it is applicable in various contexts, including news, science and encyclopedias. For more informal situations, consider using alternatives like "barely existent" or "almost non-existent". Remember that using "scarcely existent" provides a formal, descriptive, and precise way to denote minimal existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely existent

Replaces "scarcely" with "barely", offering a more common synonym with nearly identical meaning.

hardly existent

Substitutes "scarcely" with "hardly", another frequent synonym conveying a similar sense of minimal existence.

almost non-existent

Uses a stronger term, "non-existent", qualified by "almost", suggesting a near absence.

virtually non-existent

Employs "virtually" to emphasize the near absence, similar to "almost non-existent".

rarely found

Shifts the focus to the rarity of finding something, rather than its existence itself.

infrequently occurring

Replaces existence with occurrence, emphasizing the low frequency of something happening.

seldom present

Focuses on the lack of presence, using "seldom" as a synonym for "scarcely".

thin on the ground

An idiomatic expression meaning something is rare or in short supply.

few and far between

Another idiomatic expression indicating rarity or infrequent occurrence.

sparsely populated

Specifically relates to a low density of population, implying a minimal presence.

FAQs

What does "scarcely existent" mean?

The phrase "scarcely existent" means something is barely present or has a minimal level of existence. It suggests that something is rare or almost nonexistent.

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

You can use "scarcely existent" to describe anything that is rare or barely present. For example: "Due to deforestation, the natural habitat for many species is now "barely existent"".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely existent"?

Alternatives to "scarcely existent" include "barely existent", "hardly existent", "almost non-existent", or "rarely found". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "scarcely existent" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "scarcely existent" is not as common as other similar phrases. Alternatives like "barely existent" or "hardly existent" may be more frequently used in everyday language.