somewhat scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is limited in availability or quantity, but not completely absent. Example: "The resources in this area are somewhat scarce, making it difficult for the community to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As a result, such studies are still somewhat scarce.

Nature

(Taxis are somewhat scarce, rarely metered and notorious for overcharging tourists).

The New York Times - Travel

Earlier, when transistors were somewhat scarce, many SOC designers used 8-bit microprocessor cores to save silicon real estate.

Designing SOCs with Configured Cores Unleashing the Tensilica Xtensa and Diamond Cores

Plant remains deteriorate quickly in the archaeological record, which can make direct evidence of their use somewhat scarce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But marrow stem cells are difficult to collect and somewhat scarce; they must be isolated and then grown in culture before they're injected back into an injured heart.

MIT Technology Review

Lines of communication ­between the two governments, previously somewhat scarce, opened up: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich, while Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin spoke with China's ­economic leaders.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The evidence of the employment effects of mixed school- and work-based training is somewhat more scarce and also more mixed: four studies find either positive, zero or negative effects.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

CAYUGA FLORA (1926) NOTES: A weed by roadsides, in rich, somewhat calcareous, soils ; scarce.

Cornell University

Despite its importance, the literature related to ESP program evaluation is still scarce and somewhat dated.

English for Specific Purposes

At the height of his acting career, in the mid-1970s, Redford was a consistent box office attraction, but his recent acting credits are scarce and somewhat forgettable, including Spy Game and The Last Castle, both released in 2001, and The Horse Whisperer, released in 1998.

Forbes

Reports on chondrocyte TLRs have been quite scarce and somewhat controversial.

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat scarce", ensure the context clarifies the norm against which scarcity is measured. For example, "funding is somewhat scarce compared to previous years."

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat scarce" when the situation involves a complete lack of something. "Somewhat scarce" implies limited availability, not total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat scarce" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a limited quantity or availability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat scarce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that exists but is limited in quantity or availability. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides a clear reference point against which the scarcity is measured. Alternatives like "relatively limited" or "moderately infrequent" can be employed to introduce subtle shifts in meaning. Avoid using "somewhat scarce" in situations where complete absence is implied, as this phrase suggests limited availability rather than non-existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively limited

Indicates scarcity in relation to a specific comparison or standard.

moderately infrequent

Focuses on the lack of frequency rather than the absolute quantity.

slightly deficient

Highlights a lack of the necessary amount, bordering on inadequate.

somewhat uncommon

Emphasizes the lack of widespread presence or occurrence.

rather restricted

Highlights limitations on access or availability.

mildly inadequate

Implies that something is insufficient to some degree.

partially limited

Indicates some limitations, but not complete absence.

somewhat insufficient

Implies a moderate degree of inadequacy for a particular purpose.

not particularly abundant

States that something is present, but not in large quantities.

fairly restricted

Emphasizes that something is limited to some extent

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat scarce" to indicate that something is not abundant or easily available but is not entirely missing. For example, "Clean water was somewhat scarce during the drought".

What phrases can I use instead of "somewhat scarce"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively limited", "moderately infrequent", or "slightly deficient" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little scarce" instead of "somewhat scarce"?

While "a little scarce" is understandable, "somewhat scarce" is generally more formal and precise. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "somewhat scarce" and "completely unavailable"?

"Somewhat scarce" implies there is some availability, albeit limited, whereas "completely unavailable" means there is none at all. For example, "Tickets were somewhat scarce" means some tickets existed, but were hard to get. "Tickets were completely unavailable" means all tickets were sold out.