scarcity of troops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcity of troops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing military resources, strategy, or situations where there are not enough soldiers available. Example: "The general expressed concern over the scarcity of troops, which could hinder their ability to defend the territory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the scarcity of troops contributes to lapses in security.

The New York Times

But, as he later admitted, the decision may have been the result of a "scarcity of troops" in the department.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Because of the scarcity of forage, Ross's cavalry troop was ordered to dismount and send their horses back to Texas.

Wikipedia

So does the calling up of troops.

The New York Times - Books

Hundreds of troops, tanks, Humvees and helicopters.

The New York Times

Shortage of troops?

Forbes

Furthermore, hunting disrupted the social structure of troops.

Ecological Modelling

Obama would determine the number of troops.

Los Angeles Times

The scarcity of salt was particularly acute.

The New York Times

There is also a scarcity of choice.

The Economist

The increasing scarcity of drinkable water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing military strategy, use "scarcity of troops" to highlight potential vulnerabilities and the need for resource allocation adjustments.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcity of troops" metaphorically for other types of shortages. The phrase is specific to military personnel and can sound awkward if applied to unrelated situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scarcity of troops" is to act as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and describes a specific condition related to military resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcity of troops" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that refers to a shortage or lack of military personnel. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it's not an extremely common phrase, it appears in contexts related to news, wiki and science. When using the phrase, ensure it's within a military or strategic context to avoid misuse. Alternatives such as "troop shortage" or "lack of soldiers" can also be used to convey a similar meaning. Be mindful of its specific connotation related to military resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troop shortage

Emphasizes the deficiency in the number of troops available.

lack of soldiers

Directly states the absence of sufficient military personnel.

insufficient troop levels

Highlights that the current number of troops does not meet the required or desired level.

understaffed military

Focuses on the military organization being inadequately staffed.

depleted troop strength

Suggests a reduction in the number of available troops due to losses or attrition.

limited military personnel

Indicates a restriction or constraint on the availability of military staff.

reduced troop presence

Highlights a decrease in the physical presence of troops in a specific area.

inadequate troop deployment

Points out that the distribution of troops is not sufficient to meet the needs.

dearth of soldiers

Uses a more formal term to indicate a significant lack of soldiers.

paucity of military forces

Emphasizes the scantiness or smallness of the military forces available.

FAQs

What does "scarcity of troops" mean?

The phrase "scarcity of troops" refers to a situation where there is an insufficient number of military personnel available for a specific task, mission, or overall defense strategy.

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

You might say, "The general cited the "scarcity of troops" as a major obstacle to the success of the operation" or "Due to the "scarcity of troops", the border remains vulnerable to attack."

What are some alternatives to "scarcity of troops"?

Alternatives include "troop shortage", "lack of soldiers", or "insufficient troop levels". Each emphasizes slightly different aspects of the same problem.

Is it appropriate to use "scarcity of troops" in non-military contexts?

While technically grammatically correct, using "scarcity of troops" in a non-military context can sound unusual. It's better to use more general terms like "shortage" or "lack" when discussing other types of resources or personnel.