work is scarce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work is scarce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where job opportunities are limited or hard to find. Example: "In today's economy, work is scarce, making it difficult for many people to find stable employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But work is scarce.

The Guardian

Work is scarce, they say.

The New York Times

When rain is scarce, as it is now, the fields lie parched and work is scarce.

The New York Times

If work is scarce, however, he has his retirement settlement to fall back on.

The New York Times

Work is scarce, and mostly limited to short-term jobs clearing rubble.

The Economist

When work is scarce, teachers still have a good chance of finding the work they love.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But well-paid work is scarcer too: according to Morgan McKinley, a recruitment specialist, vacancies in the City of London are 40% lower than last year, with a 42% rise in the numbers looking for work in financial services.The class of 2008 is probably safe: recruiters decided how many of them to take on before the recent turmoil, and most honoured their promises.

The Economist

Work was scarce.

The Guardian - Books

"Work was scarce," he said.

The New York Times

He found work was scarce, and good pay scarcer.

The New York Times

The weather was cold and damp, and work was scarce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work is scarce" to concisely describe situations where employment options are limited, such as during economic downturns or in specific geographic areas. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the struggle individuals face in finding jobs.

Common error

While "work is scarce" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "job opportunities are limited" or "employment is hard to find" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work is scarce" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a limited availability of employment opportunities. It serves to highlight economic conditions where finding jobs is challenging. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work is scarce" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations where job opportunities are limited. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. Alternative phrases include "jobs are limited" and "employment is hard to find". While generally acceptable, varying your language in formal writing is recommended to avoid repetition. This phrase is effective for concisely conveying the challenges individuals face in finding employment due to economic factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jobs are limited

Replaces "work" with "jobs" and "scarce" with "limited", providing a more direct synonym.

job opportunities are few

Emphasizes the lack of opportunities using "few" instead of "scarce".

employment is hard to find

Focuses on the difficulty in finding employment, rather than the scarcity of work itself.

jobs are in short supply

Uses the idiom "in short supply" to convey scarcity.

there is little work available

Highlights the lack of available work using a different sentence structure.

work is difficult to come by

Emphasizes the challenge in obtaining work.

the job market is tight

Uses the term "tight" to describe a competitive job market with limited openings.

opportunities for employment are limited

A more formal way of expressing the limited availability of job opportunities.

there aren't many jobs

A simpler and more direct way of saying that there are few jobs available.

employment prospects are poor

Focuses on the unfavorable outlook for finding employment.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "work is scarce"?

When someone says "work is scarce", it means that there are not many job opportunities available. This can be due to various economic factors, such as a recession or industry decline, making it difficult for people to find employment.

How can I use "work is scarce" in a sentence?

You can use "work is scarce" to describe situations where there is a limited availability of jobs. For example: "In the rural areas, "work is scarce", forcing many young people to migrate to the cities in search of better opportunities."

What are some alternatives to saying "work is scarce"?

Some alternatives to "work is scarce" include phrases like "jobs are limited", "employment is hard to find", or "job opportunities are few". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "work is scarce"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "work is scarce". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, with "work" as the subject and "is scarce" as the predicate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.