although sparsely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "although sparsely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something exists or occurs in a limited or infrequent manner, often in contrast to another idea or statement. Example: "The forest was beautiful, although sparsely populated with wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Northern Kenya accounts for 80% of Kenya's total land area of 582,646 square kilometer.62 Although sparsely populated, the region's ethnic composition is diverse.

Pastoralism

Although sparsely documented, violence in the family exists throughout the Indian Ocean Region.

Unicef

Similar influence of the MM position has been reported previously from other microarray based studies [ 7, 9], and also – although sparsely – from hybridization experiments in solution [ 25, 26].

BMC Biotechnology

Thus, comparison with analog, anaerobic, volcanic terrestrial environments (Early Archean >3.5 3.33 Ga) shows that the fossil remains of chemotrophs in such environments were common, although sparsely distributed, except in the vicinity of hydrothermal activity where nutrients were readily available.

Astrobiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For the first half of their separate histories after World War II, the Communist North, although more sparsely peopled, was by far the more prosperous of the two countries.

The New York Times

Although only sparsely described, the existence of Class I repABC plasmids in these diverse and ecologically distinct bacteria indicates that members of this family of episomal elements have extended their genetic range beyond bacteria that interact with plants.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Although a region sparsely populated and traditionally dominated by Gaelic football and hurling, its team for the first time is a Heineken qualifier.

The New York Times - Sports

Furthermore, the present finding of no relationship between excessive substance use and number of affective episodes is in line with previous research [ 49] although this is sparsely investigated.

BMC Psychiatry

Although Norway is sparsely populated, with many rural areas, one national target is that health care services be provided as close as possible to the patients' homes [ 1, 7].

BMC Health Services Research

Although also a sparsely populated jurisdiction, New Zealand is a notable exception to the practice of linking health need to geographic status, choosing not to include rurality as a predictor of need in its formula.

BMC Health Services Research

And although the samples from this nested sparse sampling are sparsely and non-uniformly located, the samples of the autocorrelation can be computed at any specified rate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "although sparsely" to introduce a contrast, highlighting that something exists but is limited in quantity, frequency, or distribution. This can add nuance to your writing by acknowledging a presence while emphasizing its scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "although sparsely" to downplay the significance of something that is actually important. Sparsity refers to quantity or frequency, not inherent value. For example, don't say "although sparsely funded, the project is crucial" if the limited funding doesn't negate its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although sparsely" functions as an adverbial modifier, introducing a contrasting element within a sentence. It typically modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a limited extent or frequency despite another factor. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "although sparsely" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a contrast by acknowledging something exists but is limited. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively qualifies statements across diverse domains. While not as common as simpler alternatives, using "although sparsely" can add precision to your writing, especially in formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "though scarcely" or "even though thinly" to achieve similar effects. Remember that "sparsity" relates to quantity or frequency, not importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though scarcely

Uses "scarcely" as a synonym for "sparsely", indicating a minimal or barely sufficient presence.

even though thinly

Replaces "sparsely" with "thinly", altering the imagery slightly while retaining the core meaning of low density.

despite being scattered

Focuses on the scattered distribution, highlighting the lack of concentration.

notwithstanding its scarcity

Emphasizes the scarcity of something despite another factor.

though infrequently

Replaces "sparsely" with "infrequently", shifting the focus to the rare occurrence.

even if scant

Uses "scant" to convey the idea of a minimal amount or presence.

albeit limitedly

Uses "limitedly" to express the restricted extent or degree.

while thinly spread

Emphasizes the wide but insubstantial distribution of something.

in spite of its infrequency

Highlights the rare nature of the occurrence despite another element.

however marginally

Focuses on the marginal or slight existence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "although sparsely" in a sentence?

Use "although sparsely" to introduce a contrasting idea where something exists but is limited in quantity or frequency. For example, "Although sparsely populated, the region boasts a rich cultural history."

What's a good alternative to "although sparsely"?

Alternatives include "though scarcely", "even though thinly", or "despite being scattered". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "although sparsely populated"?

Yes, "although sparsely populated" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a region with a low population density.

What's the difference between "although sparsely" and "although rarely"?

"Although sparsely" refers to quantity or distribution, while "although rarely" refers to frequency. You might say "although sparsely populated" to describe a region, and "although rarely used" to describe a tool.