so scant that

USAGE SUMMARY

"so scant that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something available or present is so limited that it is barely enough to satisfy a need. For example, "The amount of food available was so scant that everyone left hungry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

His knowledge of our popular figures was so scant, that at the time he thought Warhol was a scientist because of his messy hair.

Independent

If he was preoccupied with titles, the evidence is so scant that it cannot be known what those titles meant to him or others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Evidence about the women in the lives of my men was so scant that I could do nothing with it, and I felt no pressure to try.

The Guardian - Books

Information is so scant that even diplomats whose embassies were purported to be in danger claim to to know nothing about any planned attacks.

The New York Times

In the worst-hit camps, even if the men can find work as day laborers or street peddlers, the pay is so scant that they have to choose between buying food or fuel, usually firewood.

The New York Times

The record in the press is so scant that if Caroline van Dommelen had not repeatedly referred to her early film directing in her successive reminiscences, her work as a film director in the early 1910s might have been completely missed.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

River flow data is so scant and recent that it is impossible for scientists to predict how the current rates of glacial retreat will affect river volume.

The New York Times - Science

So scant in fact, that in our session at ASALH, I rattled off from memory the previous scholarship on Turner.

Huffington Post

(References to "the causes of crime" are so scant in these bills that only the most sensitive instruments can detect them).

The Guardian

The president's proposal was so scant on details, in fact, that budget officials from the four armed services did not even bother to stage their traditional budget briefings to outline the effect on weapons production and other programs.

The New York Times

Evidence was so scant of the alleged coup-plotting that those charges had to be dropped.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so scant that" to emphasize the inadequacy of something, highlighting the consequences of its limited quantity or availability. For example, "The evidence was so scant that the case was dismissed."

Common error

While "so scant that" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "so limited that" or "so exiguous that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so scant that" functions as an adverbial intensifier, modifying an adjective to indicate a high degree of insufficiency or lack. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples illustrate its use in emphasizing the limited nature of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so scant that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the inadequacy or limitation of something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, highlighting its frequent appearance in news and academic contexts. When writing, consider using this phrase to stress a deficiency, but be mindful of the potential for overuse in formal settings. Alternatives such as "so limited that" may offer a more sophisticated tone where appropriate. Remember to use "so scant that" to effectively convey the impact of a scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so limited that

Replaces 'scant' with 'limited', focusing on the restricted nature of something.

so minimal that

Emphasizes the extremely small or reduced quantity.

so meager that

Highlights the inadequacy or poorness of something.

so sparse that

Focuses on the thinly distributed or infrequent occurrence of something.

so trifling that

Indicates something is so unimportant that it has little impact.

so restricted that

Highlights the constrained or controlled nature, implying a limited amount.

so exiguous that

Uses a more formal term for 'scant', indicating a very small amount.

so deficient that

Emphasizes the lacking or incomplete nature.

such a paucity that

Changes the structure to emphasize the small quantity with 'paucity'.

such a shortage that

Shifts the focus to a lack of supply or availability.

FAQs

How can I use "so scant that" in a sentence?

You can use "so scant that" to indicate that something is so limited or insufficient that it has a significant consequence. For example, "The resources were so scant that the project could not be completed effectively."

What are some alternatives to "so scant that"?

Alternatives include "so limited that", "so minimal that", or "so sparse that". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "so scant that" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "so scant that" may sound less formal. Consider using alternatives like "so limited that" or "so exiguous that" for a more sophisticated tone in formal contexts.

What is the difference between "so scant that" and "so little that"?

"So scant that" emphasizes the small quantity or insufficient amount of something. "So little that" can refer to quantity but also degree or extent. Depending on what you wish to emphasize, choose either "so scant that" or "so little that".