was scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something was in short supply or not readily available in the past. Example: "During the drought, water was scarce, leading to strict conservation measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Information was scarce.

The Guardian

Money was scarce.

The New York Times - Arts

Food was scarce.

The New York Times

Parking was scarce.

The New York Times

Work was scarce.

The Guardian - Books

Food was scarce, and foul.

The New York Times - Health

"Work was scarce," he said.

The New York Times

Money was scarce but sufficient.

The New Yorker

Money was scarce growing up.

The New York Times - Sports

Meat was scarce; eggs, occasional.

The New Yorker

Capital was scarce and macroeconomic management erratic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past conditions of scarcity, use "was scarce" to clearly convey the limited availability of a resource or item.

Common error

Avoid using "was scarce" when describing something that is merely difficult to obtain due to complex procedures, rather than a genuine lack of supply. For example, instead of "permissions were scarce" (when permissions were hard to get but existed), use "permissions were difficult to obtain."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was scarce" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun as being limited or insufficient. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, from describing food shortages to limited access to resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was scarce" effectively describes a state of limited availability in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, notably in News & Media and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, consider its accurate representation of deficiency and avoid using it for situations of mere difficulty in access. Alternatives such as "was limited" or "was in short supply" can provide nuanced alternatives. Its consistent and authoritative usage makes it a reliable choice for expressing past scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited

Expresses a restriction in quantity or availability.

was in short supply

Highlights the inadequacy of the amount available.

was deficient

Emphasizes a lack or shortage of something needed.

was rare

Indicates that something was not commonly found or seen.

was uncommon

Suggests that something was not frequently encountered.

was exiguous

Implies a very small or meager amount.

was hardly available

Highlights the difficulty in obtaining something.

was at a premium

Suggests high value due to limited availability.

was thin on the ground

Indicates a lack of abundance or widespread presence.

was few and far between

Emphasizes the infrequency and rarity of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "was scarce" to describe a past situation where something was limited in availability. For instance, "During the war, food "was scarce"".

What's a good alternative to "was scarce"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was limited", "was in short supply", or "was rare" instead of "was scarce".

Is it correct to say "were scarce" instead of "was scarce"?

The correct verb form depends on the noun it modifies. Use "was scarce" for singular nouns (e.g., "water was scarce"), and "were scarce" for plural nouns (e.g., "resources were scarce").

What's the difference between "was scarce" and "is scarce"?

"Was scarce" refers to a past condition of limited availability, while "is scarce" indicates a present condition. For example, "Water "was scarce" during the drought" (past) versus "Water "is scarce" in the desert" (present).