scarcely speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is speaking very little or not at all, often implying a lack of engagement or communication. Example: "During the meeting, she was scarcely speaking, lost in her thoughts while others discussed the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Barely eating, scarcely speaking, she endured.

The New Yorker

A mysterious woman wandered the grounds, scarcely speaking.

The New York Times - Travel

"Those who suppose that Southern ladies keep their attendants at a distance, scarcely speaking to them, or only to give commands have a very erroneous impression," Crafts writes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His adolescent son scarcely spoke & his wife nagged.

The New Yorker

Other foreign languages (even the next-door neighbours') are scarcely spoken at all.

The Economist

Ken scarcely spoke in those days; he was just waiting to get hold of a camera.

The Guardian - Film

For a fair old chunk of the novel she scarcely speaks.

The Guardian - Books

"I scarcely spoke English, and coming from a backwoods, I found it difficult to adapt.

The Guardian - Books

The students ranged from South Americans who were fluent to illiterate Englishmen who could scarcely speak their own language.

The Guardian - Arts

Ms. Knox has scarcely spoken in public, and her first high-profile interview, with Diane Sawyer of ABC News, is scheduled to appear on the book's publication date.

The New York Times - Books

Johnny knows that he's nowhere, and Dorff makes him rueful, exhausted, and no more than moderately interesting — he scarcely speaks a complete sentence in the entire movie.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely speaking" to subtly indicate a character's emotional state or discomfort in a situation. For example, "After the argument, she was scarcely speaking, a clear sign of her distress."

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely speaking" when you mean complete silence. The phrase implies some level of communication, albeit minimal. If there is no speech at all, "completely silent" or "mute" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely speaking" functions as an adverbial modifier describing a reduced level of verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct English usage. Examples show its use to describe someone's state during emotional or stressful situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcely speaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a situation where someone is speaking very little. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable expression. While not overly common, as indicated by its "Uncommon" frequency, it effectively conveys a sense of reduced communication, often hinting at underlying emotional or psychological factors. Alternative phrases like "hardly saying anything" or "barely uttering a word" can be used for similar effect. It's important to use "scarcely speaking" accurately, ensuring it reflects a minimal level of speech rather than complete silence. Its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking very little

A straightforward alternative that directly states the limited amount of speech.

hardly saying anything

Highlights the infrequency of speech, suggesting very few words are spoken.

almost silent

Indicates a state close to complete silence, with minimal speech.

barely uttering a word

Emphasizes the lack of spoken words, highlighting the act of not speaking.

not saying much

A more casual way to express that someone is speaking very little.

rarely vocalizing

Focuses on the infrequent expression of thoughts or feelings through speech.

minimally communicative

Highlights the reduced level of communication, not just speech.

nearly mute

Suggests a condition close to muteness, implying a severe reduction in speech.

reticent in speech

Emphasizes a reluctance or unwillingness to speak openly.

keeping mum

An idiomatic expression indicating a deliberate choice not to speak.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarcely speaking" to describe someone who is speaking very little. For example, "After the shocking news, she was "scarcely speaking", lost in thought".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely speaking"?

Alternatives include "barely uttering a word", "hardly saying anything", or "speaking very little", each conveying a similar but slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "scarcely speaking"?

Yes, "scarcely speaking" is grammatically correct and used to indicate that someone is speaking very little or almost not at all.

What does "scarcely speaking" imply about a person's state?

"Scarcely speaking" often implies that a person is either unwilling or unable to speak much, possibly due to emotional distress, contemplation, or a physical condition.