Different meaning

[Ling]

Dear Alan:
Would you please explaining me what is the different between these words?

Thanks

People tended not to believe a word he said and maintained that his protestations of innocence were wearing a bit ..........

(a) scarce
(b) bare
(c) scant
(d) thin

[Alan]

Hi Ling,

Wear thin means not really have any more strength or value. Scarce means rare in the sense of not often seen/available as in: In certain parts of the African continent water is scarce

Bare means uncovered as in: A bare mountain top = no grass/vegetation. A bare body means no clothes/nude.

Scant means weak or not substantial as in: They have scant knowledge of the subject = They don't know very much about it.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/run

[Mister Micawber]

.
Ling, you must be able to recognize the idiomatic to wear thin:

My patience is wearing thin.
His excuses are wearing thin.
Darwin's theory has worn thin.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's