paucity
C1/C2Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A small or insufficient quantity or amount; scarcity.
The state of being few in number; a lack or dearth of something, often implying an insufficiency relative to what is needed or expected.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently carries a negative connotation of insufficiency. It is almost exclusively used in formal contexts and often appears in critiques or analyses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning. The word is equally formal and used with the same frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests a critical observation of a deficiency or lack.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in general usage, but a standard word in formal and academic writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
paucity of [NOUN (plural or uncountable)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Not common. Usually used literally in the pattern 'a/the paucity of...')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critically analyzing market failures, e.g., 'The paucity of investment has stifled growth.'
Academic
Highlighting limitations in research, e.g., 'The study is hindered by a paucity of reliable data.'
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in formal complaints or news commentary.
Technical
Used in scientific literature to indicate limited sample sizes or scarce evidence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The paucity of participants led to the study's cancellation.
- There is a regrettable paucity of affordable housing in the city centre.
American English
- The paucity of evidence made a conviction impossible.
- A surprising paucity of innovation was noted in the report.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The report highlighted the paucity of women in senior roles.
- There is a paucity of good restaurants in this area.
- The paucity of reliable witnesses undermined the prosecution's case.
- Economic progress has been hampered by a sheer paucity of investment.
- The relative paucity of archaeological finds from this period complicates any definitive interpretation.
- Critics pointed to the conceptual paucity of the government's new policy framework.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a POOR CITY struggling because of the PAUCITY (sounds like 'poor city') of jobs and opportunities.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY AS A CONTAINER (The container is nearly empty). LACK AS POVERTY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'малость' (malost') which is informal. 'Нехватка' (nekhvatka) or 'скудость' (skudost') are closer semantically but differ in register.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'paucity' without 'of' (Incorrect: 'There is a paucity data.' Correct: 'There is a paucity of data.'). Using it in informal speech where 'lack' or 'not much' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'paucity' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common mistake is omitting the required preposition 'of', resulting in an ungrammatical structure like 'a paucity data' instead of 'a paucity of data'.
Yes, it can describe a small number of people, e.g., 'a paucity of volunteers' or 'a paucity of experts in the field'.
It is inherently negative. It always describes an amount that is less than what is needed, expected, or desirable.
In most informal contexts, 'lack' or 'shortage' can be used as simpler alternatives, though they lack the formal, academic tone of 'paucity'.
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