scarcely work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is barely functioning or having little effect. Example: "The new software update was supposed to improve performance, but it seems to scarcely work on my device."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This work is essentially a "private" contract in what is referred to as the "informal sector", as though it were scarcely work at all but a casual occupation carried out in the pleasant interstices of real life.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was built, in large part, by slaves: "For the love of God send 100 negroes," wrote a military captain to Madrid, "we can scarcely work for the great heat".

The New York Times - Travel

In the second movie, for example, one of Che's lieutenants is told that his brother has been killed in battle, and the scene is signalled as an emotional jolt, yet it passes in such haste that we can scarcely work out who the bereaved man is, let alone the deceased.

The New Yorker

There's nothing light or breezy about it; it worked for him, but it could scarcely work for anyone else.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He lacks the trace of human work: there is no method; there is no order or arrangement in his procedure, and not only in the scarcely worked material texture, but in the spatial arrangement of the objects among them and in relation to their containers (the house, the backyard or the street).

City, Territory and Architecture

This is a concept being pushed by moderates, who fear that less-employed or unemployed actors (who constitute a large percentage of the union) are more likely to vote for a strike, having less to lose (since they're not, or are scarcely, working anyway).

Huffington Post

As you can see, this is scarcely taxing work.

The New York Times

Yet he has scarcely shown work in the UK since 2002's The Upper Room, depicting a lineup of monkey-apostles in a chapel-like interior.

The Guardian - Arts

So while "Borscht Belt Buffet on Broadway" can be derided as the equivalent of vaudeville for the geriatric set, it can also be cherished as a loving memorial, though scarcely a work of art.

The New York Times

And, walking round this show, it strikes you anew that there is scarcely a work that doesn't depend for its impact on German history, specifically Beuys's own.

The Guardian - Arts

If Graeme Souness had timed the signing and subsequent unveiling of Hakan Sukur as a deliberate psychological ploy, it could scarcely have worked better as the Worthington Cup holders eased into the last eight last night.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing effort or functionality that is close to non-existent, use "scarcely work" to emphasize the near absence of activity. For example, "After the storm, the generator could scarcely work, providing only intermittent power."

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely work" when describing situations where there is clear, albeit limited, functionality. If something is demonstrably working, even if inefficiently, a phrase like "works inefficiently" or "barely functions" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely work" functions as a verb phrase to describe the limited or near-absence of operational capacity. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability, indicating that although something is attempted, it is hardly effective, as suggested in some example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely work" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where functionality or effort is minimal. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for conveying that something is only barely operational. While relatively rare, as observed from the provided examples, the phrase is versatile, fitting into news, general, and even scientific contexts. Alternatives like "hardly function" or "barely operate" can be used to express similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance desired. When using "scarcely work", ensure that the context genuinely reflects minimal activity, avoiding overstatement in situations where there is still significant functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly function

Emphasizes a lack of proper operation or functionality.

barely operate

Focuses on the minimal level of operation possible.

infrequently labor

Highlights the low occurrence of working or physical effort.

rarely perform

Indicates the infrequent execution of a task or action.

scantily toil

Emphasizes the meager or insufficient amount of labor involved.

just about work

Implies working condition is nearly failing.

only just work

Similar to "just about work", suggesting a very close call.

hardly exert oneself

Expresses a minimal application of effort or energy.

infrequently engage in activity

Highlights a low frequency of participation or involvement.

only nominally function

Suggests functioning in name only, with little real effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarcely work" to describe a situation where something is barely functioning or producing minimal results. For example, "The old computer could "hardly function"; it would "scarcely work" when I needed it most."

What's a good alternative to "scarcely work"?

Alternatives to "scarcely work" include phrases like "barely operate", "hardly function", or "infrequently labor". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "scarcely work" formal or informal?

"Scarcely work" is neither highly formal nor strictly informal; it fits well in neutral and even professional contexts where you need to describe minimal or near-absent functionality.

What's the difference between "scarcely work" and "not work at all"?

"Scarcely work" implies that there is some minimal level of activity or functionality, whereas "not work at all" indicates complete failure or absence of operation. "Scarcely work" suggests a situation that is almost, but not quite, entirely non-functional.