become increasingly sparse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become increasingly sparse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is diminishing or becoming less frequent over time. Example: "As the population of the area declined, the number of local businesses began to become increasingly sparse."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The documents become increasingly sparse after 400.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Interestingly, new studies concerning microbial sulfate reduction pathways in the last half decade have become increasingly sparse, indicating that most of the pathways involved have been discovered and studied.

Current Opinion in Microbiology

In other words, the points corresponding to high DNA binding site motif similarity are mostly found near the origin (both paralogs have low expression) and near the axes (exactly one of the paralogs is highly expressed), and these points become increasingly sparse as we move away from the origin (both paralogs highly expressed).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The bigger villages fell behind us, and the scenery became increasingly sparse: vast, open valleys strewn with massive boulders and scree, looking something like God's building site.

The New York Times - Travel

The corrector x ̂ k | k becomes increasingly sparse as λ k increases, and eventually vanishes, i.e., x ̂ k | k = 0, when λ k exceeds an upper bound λ ̄ k.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Moreover, the frequency of evaluations decreased substantially and the data became increasingly sparse as the cohorts became older.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The level of both discussion and general on-line interaction was reduced and became increasingly sparse as phase 2 proceeded.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Foreign-trained specialists have become increasingly scarce.

The Economist

As association analyses become increasingly common in populations for which genome-wide genotype data is sparse, we anticipate that this cautionary note will become increasingly important.

BMC Medical Genomics

Most tissue cells grown in sparse cultures on linearly elastic substrates typically display a small, round phenotype on soft substrates and become increasingly spread as the modulus of the substrate increases until their spread area reaches a maximum value.

Plosone

This has become increasingly untenable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become increasingly sparse", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is becoming less frequent or less dense. This phrase is best suited for describing gradual changes over time.

Common error

Avoid using "become increasingly sparse" when describing abrupt or sudden changes. This phrase implies a gradual process, not an immediate one. Using it inappropriately can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become increasingly sparse" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a gradual reduction in density or frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound. Examples show its usage in describing scenery, data, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become increasingly sparse" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, primarily employed to describe a gradual reduction in density or frequency. While considered rare, it is found across scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. When using this phrase, ensure the context implies a gradual change rather than an abrupt one. Related phrases include "grow more scarce" and "diminish progressively". It’s important to consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow more scarce

Changes the verb from 'become' to 'grow' and replaces 'sparse' with 'scarce', indicating a reduction in availability.

diminish progressively

Replaces 'become increasingly' with 'diminish progressively', focusing on the gradual decrease.

thin out gradually

Replaces the entire phrase with a more visual metaphor, suggesting a reduction in density.

become progressively less frequent

Substitutes 'sparse' with 'less frequent' for clarity, emphasizing the declining occurrence.

dwindle in number

Uses 'dwindle' to convey a reduction in quantity, particularly applicable to countable items.

wane steadily

Employs 'wane' to suggest a decline in strength or influence, suitable in abstract contexts.

shrink incrementally

Uses 'shrink' to imply a reduction in size or scope, emphasizing the small steps of change.

peter out gradually

Replaces the entire phrase with an idiom suggesting a slow and progressive disappearance or fading.

taper off slowly

Uses 'taper off' to indicate a gradual reduction, often applied to quantities or intensities.

decline steadily

Replaces 'become increasingly sparse' with 'decline steadily', focusing on continuous deterioration.

FAQs

What does "become increasingly sparse" mean?

The phrase "become increasingly sparse" means that something is gradually diminishing in quantity, density, or frequency over time. It suggests a progressive reduction or thinning out of whatever is being described.

How can I use "become increasingly sparse" in a sentence?

You can use "become increasingly sparse" to describe data, populations, resources, or even abstract concepts. For example, "As the cohort became older, the data "became increasingly sparse"."

What are some synonyms for "become increasingly sparse"?

Alternatives to "become increasingly sparse" include "grow more scarce", "diminish progressively", or "thin out gradually", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "became increasingly sparse" or "become increasingly rare"?

While both phrases suggest a reduction, "become increasingly sparse" emphasizes a decrease in density or frequency within a given area or set, while "become increasingly rare" focuses on a decrease in overall existence or availability. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.