are only sparsely available

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'are only sparsely available' is correct and is often used in written English.
It is generally used to imply that something is scarce or scarce in quantity. For example, "Good quality laptops are only sparsely available on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Explicit follicle counts are only sparsely available.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, experimental evidence is only sparsely available and the corresponding physical properties are largely unknown.

Cryobiology

The cause of death and the data on disease recurrence were only sparsely available.

British Journal of Cancer

As information on education and occupation was only sparsely available, these variables were not included in this study.

British Journal of Cancer

Neuron classification is still a controversial topic [28, 29], and the few available machine-readable resources [18, 30, 31, 32] are only sparsely populated relative to the diversity of content in NeuroMorpho.Org.

Brain Informatics

The clinical significance and the occurrence are only sparsely described.

Journal of Clinical Virology

By contrast, the Natuna Islands are only sparsely populated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The southern New Guinea plains are only sparsely populated by relatively mobile sago gatherers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The precise values of aquifer properties are usually uncertain because they are only sparsely sampled, yet are highly heterogeneous.

Journal of Computational Physics

The earliest members of our genus, Homo, are only sparsely represented in the fossil record.

BBC

As for the rest of the country, these areas are only sparsely forested.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are only sparsely available", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or limited. This phrase is most effective when followed by an explanation of why the scarcity exists or its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are only sparsely available" when something is actually completely unavailable. This phrase implies some existence, albeit limited, not total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are only sparsely available" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates the limited existence or availability of something. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are only sparsely available" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote scarcity or limited distribution. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, its formality ranges from neutral to formal. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of scarcity and its underlying reasons. Remember that the expression implies the presence of something in limited quantities, not its complete absence. Consider alternatives such as "are scarcely available" or "are rarely available" to fine-tune the nuance. Finally, the data indicates that while not exceptionally rare, neither is it ubiquitous, making it a powerful tool to communicate limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are scarcely available

Replaces "sparsely" with "scarcely", emphasizing a lack of something.

are infrequently available

Substitutes "sparsely" with "infrequently", focusing on the low frequency of availability.

are not widely available

Replaces "sparsely" with "not widely", highlighting the lack of widespread distribution.

are limited in availability

Changes the structure to emphasize the limitations on availability.

are in short supply

Uses a more direct phrase to indicate a shortage.

are thinly distributed

Focuses on the distribution being sparse.

are rare

Simplifies the expression to indicate that something is uncommon.

are hard to come by

Uses an idiom to suggest that something is difficult to obtain.

are few and far between

Emphasizes both the small number and wide spacing of available items.

are difficult to find

Highlights the challenge in locating the available items.

FAQs

What does "are only sparsely available" mean?

The phrase "are only sparsely available" means that something exists, but in very limited quantities or distribution. It suggests a scarcity or a lack of widespread presence.

How can I use "are only sparsely available" in a sentence?

You might say, "Detailed statistics on this rare condition "are only sparsely available", making research challenging." This shows the information is limited.

Which is more formal, "are only sparsely available" or "are scarce"?

"Are only sparsely available" is slightly more formal and descriptive, while "are scarce" is more concise and direct. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What are some alternatives to "are only sparsely available"?

Alternatives include "are rarely available", "are not widely available", or "are limited". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.