scarcity of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcity of light" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The cave was pitch black, the only sound coming from the dripping water and the occasional scurrying of small animals. The scarcity of light made it nearly impossible to see the narrow passageways, and our guide had to lead us using only a small flashlight.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In darkness, vision is limited by the scarcity of light, and the pupil therefore dilates to capture more light.

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He laughed as he gave a full tour of his accommodations, opening closets for the first time, noting the scarcity of lighting and the broken handle on the refrigerator.

The New York Times

The captain assessed scarcity of wind, light but favorable current, and the remaining distance -- 13.4 nautical miles -- to Montauk Point.

The New York Times

This points to water scarcity as a cause of light ring development.

Dendrochronologia

Remediation is also necessary in light of the scarcity of water as a resource and the growing water scarcity and the increasing pressures on this resource by increasing human population and per capita rates of water use.

Applied Water Science

The Forced From Home exhibit shed light on the scarcity of water.

Huffington Post

Despite this, the present study can gives rise to further investigations on KNOA in primary care practitioners in light of the scarcity of national and international research on this topic.

BMC Family Practice

In light of the scarcity of effective H. pylori antimicrobials in our country, if these regimens fail, it is our opinion that second-line treatments must be prescribed according to susceptibility testing.

BMC Gastroenterology

In light of the scarcity of existing information regarding negative regulation of DSB repair in mammalian cells, our study contributes to the understanding of DNA repair mechanisms and provides new insights into the function of c-Abl in the context of the DDR.

Cell Death and Disease

Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether meta-analyses of non-randomised studies systematically overestimate effect sizes compared with meta-analyses of randomised trials (MacLehose et al, 2000), and in light of the scarcity of high-quality evidence in this field, data from the meta-analysis of non-randomised studies can be informative.

British Journal of Cancer

Difficulty in studying earthquake light arises from the scarcity of scientific observations.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments or situations, use "scarcity of light" to effectively convey the limited availability of illumination, impacting visibility and perception. For example, in a cave or during a blackout.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcity of light" when simply describing dimness; "low light levels" might be more appropriate if the issue isn't complete absence, but rather insufficient intensity. "Scarcity" implies a deficiency or lack, not just a reduced amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcity of light" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a condition where light is lacking or deficient, influencing visibility or environmental conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriate use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcity of light" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a deficiency or lack of illumination. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare in occurrence. This phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts and is used for descriptive purposes. When using this phrase, ensure that "scarcity" accurately reflects a deficiency, rather than simply low light levels. Consider alternatives like "lack of illumination" or "low light levels" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of illumination

Replaces "scarcity" with "lack" maintaining the same meaning of absence.

shortage of light

Replaces "scarcity" with "shortage" to describe the lack of light.

paucity of light

Substitutes "scarcity" with "paucity", indicating a small quantity of light.

dearth of light

Uses "dearth" instead of "scarcity", emphasizing a severe lack of light.

limited light availability

Focuses on the restriction in the amount of light.

inadequate light supply

Emphasizes that the amount of light provided is not enough.

insufficient lighting

Describes the inadequacy of the lighting.

poor lighting conditions

Emphasizes the unsatisfactory quality of the lighting.

low light levels

Refers to the reduced intensity of light.

absence of light

Highlights the complete lack of light.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcity of light" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcity of light" to describe situations where there is a lack of illumination, such as "The explorers struggled to navigate the cave due to the scarcity of light."

What can I say instead of "scarcity of light"?

Alternatives to "scarcity of light" include "lack of illumination", "paucity of light", or "dearth of light". Choose the one that best fits the context.

Is "scarcity of light" formal or informal?

"Scarcity of light" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "scarcity of light" and "low light levels"?

"Scarcity of light" implies a general deficiency or lack of light, suggesting difficulty in seeing. "Low light levels" simply indicates a reduced intensity of light, which may or may not be problematic depending on the context.