very scant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very scant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is minimal or insufficient in quantity or extent. Example: "The evidence presented in the report was very scant, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The U.S. government had a very scant case.

The New York Times

Distract myself into the very scant notes for another novel I have on a sheet of paper on the desk.

The Guardian - Books

Though these churches developed an extensive body of canon law throughout their histories, Western knowledge of their canon law has been very scant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were loads of layers – we counted about 15 – and a very scant amount of béchamel and meat ragu, but just the right amount.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Sandweiss constructs the life of the heretofore unknown young Ada, extrapolating from very scant evidence to create a remarkably solid portrait.

The New York Times - Books

Though Mr. Tonko said that he would make every effort to review the governor's bill, he added that it was "leaving us very scant few days".

The New York Times

With all good wishes…" Of the Wallersteins, he writes, "My knowledge... is very scant and doesn't go much beyond the fact that my aunt whose real name was Annie Egelhofer worked for the family for many years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Fears of tighter credit in China weighed on stockmarkets this week but the signs still point to very gradual tightening and scant dampening of growth in China and the rest of the emerging world.Powerful structural factors will continue to reinforce the relative strength of the emerging world.

The Economist

His status as a populist frontman for science followed on from his 2003 book, A Short History of Nearly Everything in which he roamed – "always at the very edge of my scant knowledge" – across many scientific questions from the big bang onwards.

The Guardian - Books

The evidence was determined by sexism and character assassination; the court very clearly twisted the scant information they had to fit their theory of the girl they hated.

Huffington Post

However, support for the role of the intrinsic pathway is scant, although very convincing.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very scant", consider whether a more precise adjective might provide a stronger impact. For instance, instead of "very scant evidence", specify "limited", "minimal", or "insufficient evidence" depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overusing "very" with "scant" can make your writing sound repetitive. Try replacing "very scant" with a single, stronger adjective like "meager", "limited", or "inadequate" to improve conciseness and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very scant" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies nouns to indicate that something exists in a minimal or insufficient quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very scant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates something is minimal or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and formal contexts, signaling a lack or deficiency. While effective, consider replacing it with more precise adjectives like "limited" or "minimal" to enhance clarity. Though it is advised to use the right word depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely limited

Emphasizes the severe restriction or smallness of something.

barely sufficient

Highlights that something just meets the minimum requirement.

hardly any

Indicates a very small quantity or number.

quite inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency of something to meet a need.

woefully insufficient

Adds a sense of regret or disappointment about the inadequacy.

pathetically meager

Emphasizes the poorness and insignificance of something.

scarcely adequate

Suggests that something is only just meeting the required standard.

thin on the ground

An idiom suggesting that something is rare or difficult to find.

few and far between

Highlights the infrequency and scarcity of something.

in short supply

Indicates that something is not readily available or abundant.

FAQs

How can I use "very scant" in a sentence?

You can use "very scant" to describe something that is minimal or insufficient. For example: "The data available on the topic is "very scant"." Consider alternatives such as "extremely limited" or "barely sufficient" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "very scant"?

Alternatives to "very scant" include "extremely limited", "hardly any", "quite inadequate", or "woefully insufficient". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "very" with "scant"?

While not strictly redundant, using "very" with "scant" can sometimes be seen as intensifying an already strong adjective. Consider whether a single, more impactful adjective such as "meager", "minimal", or "limited" would be more effective.

What's the difference between "very scant" and "inadequate"?

"Very scant" emphasizes the smallness or insufficiency in quantity or amount. "Inadequate", on the other hand, focuses on the unsuitability or deficiency for a particular purpose. While similar, "inadequate" often implies a failure to meet a specific need or requirement, while ""very scant"" simply highlights the lack of abundance.