unusually scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusually scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not only scarce but is also more scarce than what is typically expected. Example: "The resources in this area are unusually scarce, making it difficult for the community to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farmers aren't happy either as they are having to pay unusually high prices for the scarce resource and sometimes having to settle for poorer quality bees.

The Guardian

THE anxiety among consumer marketers over the sputtering economy was palpable throughout the 2002 annual meeting of the Association of National Advertisers here, as speaker after speaker offered unusually frank admonitions to concentrate scarce corporate resources on reasserting the power of name-brand products.

The New York Times

Unusually large mitochondria are a rather scarce feature in normal biological tissue and string-like giant mitochondria have hitherto not been reported in animals.

Advances in Space Research

They are unusually resourceful in being relatively undeterred by scarce assets in pursuing their social ventures.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Speed is typically scarce to begin with, and it's at an unusually high premium this year.

Forbes

Jobs are so scarce that the race for county treasurer has produced an unusually crowded field.

The New Yorker

(Bookings scarce).

The New Yorker

That's unusually late.

The Economist

Palm sounded unusually serious.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was unusually quiet.

The New Yorker

It is unusually sound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unusually scarce", ensure the context clearly establishes a baseline expectation of availability. This strengthens the impact of the scarcity being described.

Common error

Avoid using "unusually scarce" when the scarcity is already inherently understood from the context. Redundancy weakens the writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusually scarce" functions as a compound adjective, where "unusually" modifies the adjective "scarce", intensifying its meaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this combination highlights a degree of scarcity that is beyond the norm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusually scarce" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that something is more scarce than typically expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a heightened sense of rarity or limitation. While it appears across various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and scientific publications. For more nuanced expressions, consider alternatives such as "remarkably rare" or "exceptionally limited". When using this phrase, ensure the context establishes a clear baseline for expected availability to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably rare

Emphasizes the exceptional rarity, intensifying the scarcity.

exceptionally limited

Highlights the strict limitations in quantity or availability.

particularly deficient

Focuses on the notable lack or inadequacy of something.

uncommonly sparse

Indicates a distribution that is much less dense or plentiful than usual.

noticeably scant

Suggests that the small amount or quantity is easily observed.

strikingly uncommon

Highlights that the phrase is unexpected or rare in a notable way.

singularly infrequent

Implies a very low rate of occurrence, almost unique.

uniquely depleted

Indicates a state of extreme reduction or exhaustion, setting it apart.

surprisingly reduced

Highlights a decrease that was unexpected, leading to scarcity.

distinctly limited

Underscores that the limited quantity is very easy to distinguish.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "unusually scarce" in a sentence?

Use "unusually scarce" to emphasize that something is not just scarce, but also more so than typically expected. For instance, "Due to the drought, water resources are "unusually scarce" this year."

What are some alternatives to "unusually scarce"?

Alternatives include "remarkably rare", "exceptionally limited", or "particularly deficient", each carrying slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it redundant to use "very unusually scarce"?

Yes, adding "very" to "unusually scarce" can be redundant. The word "unusually" already implies a deviation from the norm, so further intensification may not be necessary.

In what situations is "unusually scarce" most appropriate?

"Unusually scarce" is most appropriate when you want to highlight a situation where the lack of something is surprising or unexpected, given typical conditions.