scarcely present

USAGE SUMMARY

"scarcely present" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something or someone is barely or hardly present, or that there is only a small amount of something present. Example: "The teacher was scarcely present during the lesson, leaving the students to figure out the material on their own."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, E.C. 3.1.1.8) is scarcely present at these developmental stages as shown by the scarce inhibition of AcTChI cleavage exerted by iso-OMPA in controls but seems to increase its activity while AChE activity is decreasing.

BioMed Research International

But Tchaikovsky, who provided the novel's most famous musical setting in his soaring 1879 opera "Eugene Onegin," was scarcely present.

The New York Times - Arts

This subtext, though, is scarcely present in the play because Weigh is adapting a text set three decades earlier, in another culture.

The Guardian

Likewise, for all the humanity of the article, its author, who died in 1993, seems scarcely present in it; it seems almost not to have an author.

The New Yorker

Egyptians are scarcely present in the story, though the new and pressing Egyptian nationalism features in the background, including the government's efforts to gain control over archaeological finds.

The Guardian - Books

Cobalt and cadmium were scarcely present in soil.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It is not so much that its message -- "vote for Hillary; Trump is deeply flawed" -- is incorrect, although it is scarcely presented in a manner that is precise, nuanced or in any way illuminating.

Huffington Post

The alterations were semi-quantitatively graded (- = absent, + = barely present, ++ = moderate, +++ = severe) [ 16] instead of being submitted to statistical analysis, which was scarcely reliable in our conditions.

BMC Nephrology

John Drebinger wrote in The New York Times that the ball had landed halfway up in the bleachers, "and though there were scarcely 7,500 eyewitnesses present, the roar they sent up could hardly have been drowned out had the spacious stands been packed to capacity".

The New York Times - Sports

However, their role in plant conservation has been at present scarcely investigated.

Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters

However, the latter option is, at present, scarcely evaluated[ 57, 91].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely present" when you want to emphasize the very limited or almost non-existent presence of something. It adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely present" when you simply mean something happens infrequently. "Scarcely present" indicates a low quantity or degree of presence, not just a low frequency. For instance, instead of saying "opportunities were scarcely present", consider "opportunities were rare".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely present" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the extent to which something exists or is available. It indicates a limited or minimal presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcely present" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that denotes a minimal or near-absent existence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it serves to underscore the limited quantity or degree of something, lending a formal tone to written communication. To achieve similar effects, consider using alternatives like "barely there" or "almost absent", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely there

Emphasizes the minimal extent of presence, often implying something is almost nonexistent.

hardly detectable

Focuses on the difficulty of noticing or identifying something due to its limited presence.

minimally existent

Highlights the extremely small degree to which something exists.

almost absent

Indicates a near-complete lack of presence, suggesting something is close to not being there at all.

rarely observed

Emphasizes the infrequency with which something is seen or noted.

in short supply

Implies a scarcity or deficiency in the availability of something.

thinly scattered

Suggests a sparse and uneven distribution of something over an area.

few and far between

Highlights the rarity and infrequent occurrence of something.

sparsely populated

Describes a low density of individuals or elements in a given space.

scantily available

Focuses on the limited accessibility or provision of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "scarcely present" to convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "barely there", "hardly detectable", or "almost absent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to emphasize.

What is the difference between "scarcely present" and "rarely present"?

"Scarcely present" emphasizes the minimal quantity or degree of something, whereas "rarely present" highlights the infrequent occurrence or appearance. The former focuses on amount, the latter on frequency.

Is "scarcely present" appropriate for formal or informal contexts?

While grammatically correct in both, "scarcely present" is better suited for formal or academic writing. Simpler alternatives like "barely there" may be preferred in informal settings.

How to use "scarcely present" in a sentence?

For example: "Evidence of their involvement was "scarcely present"." or "The resources needed for the project were "scarcely present"."