will be scant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be scant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something will be limited or insufficient in quantity or quality. Example: "The resources available for the project will be scant, so we need to prioritize our tasks carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But for many people, that will be scant reassurance.

The Economist

Those statistics will be scant consolation for Smith.

Independent

It will be scant consolation, however, to Lord Coe.

The New Yorker

That will be scant consolation but he has been heroic.

The Guardian - Sport

But the physicists' work will be scant help to audiences maddened by the noise.

The New York Times

But that will be scant consolation after spending six years in the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That it will have plenty of company if it fails will probably be scant consolation.

The Economist

That will only be scant consolation to the Democrats, however, who will still face the daunting task of dislodging a mighty Republican majority of 49 in the House of Representatives.

The Economist

Yet for the U.S. economy overall, the damage will likely be scant.

Huffington Post

Add in variations in methodology, and the minor wrinkle of write-in votes (which will likely be scant, but which pollsters lack a good way of measuring), and you have a recipe for exactly the kind of volatile spread seen in the polls.

Huffington Post

WHEN the world's Anglican bishops meet in Belfast on February 21st, brotherly love will be in scant supply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will be scant", ensure the context clearly indicates what is limited or insufficient. For example, "Opportunities for promotion will be scant in the current economic climate."

Common error

Avoid using "will be scant" in overly informal or casual contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly formal tone and may sound out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be scant" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a future state of limited quantity or availability. Ludwig's examples show it modifying nouns to express insufficiency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be scant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something will be limited or insufficient in the future. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most prevalent in news and media contexts, adopting a neutral tone. While versatile, it's essential to consider the level of formality and tailor the phrase to suit the specific audience and context. Remember that alternatives like ""will be limited"" or ""will be minimal"" can be used for clearer or less formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be limited

Replaces "scant" with a more direct synonym emphasizing restriction in quantity or extent.

will be minimal

Substitutes "scant" with a term suggesting the smallest possible amount or degree.

will be insufficient

Emphasizes the inadequacy or lack of what is needed, rather than just a small amount.

will be meager

Suggests a deficiency in richness or fullness, implying a poor or inadequate supply.

will be sparse

Highlights the scattered and infrequent nature of something, rather than just its small quantity.

will be scarce

Indicates rarity and difficulty in obtaining something, adding a sense of demand exceeding supply.

will be in short supply

Focuses on the limited availability of something, often due to high demand or restrictions.

will be few and far between

Emphasizes the rarity and infrequency of something, suggesting that it is hard to find or come by.

will not be enough

Directly states that something will not meet the required amount or standard, lacking subtlety.

will hardly suffice

Implies that something will barely be adequate or satisfactory, highlighting its marginal utility.

FAQs

How can I use "will be scant" in a sentence?

You can use "will be scant" to describe situations where something is limited or insufficient. For example, "Resources for the project "will be scant", requiring careful prioritization".

What can I say instead of "will be scant"?

Alternatives include "will be limited", "will be minimal", or "will be insufficient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "will be scant" formal or informal?

"Will be scant" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for news, reports, or academic writing, but potentially out of place in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "won't be much" or "will be little" for less formal contexts.

What's the difference between "will be scant" and "will be scarce"?

While both imply a limited amount, "will be scant" focuses on the small quantity or degree, whereas "will be scarce" emphasizes rarity and difficulty in obtaining something. "Information "will be scant"" suggests there isn't much information available. "Tickets "will be scarce"" suggests they are hard to get.