is rather sparse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather sparse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is thin, limited, or lacking in quantity or detail. Example: "The report on the project is rather sparse, lacking the necessary data to support the conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Venezuelan Sylphs are found in scrubby and forest habitats in montane regions; their behavior appears similar to that of other sylphs, but the literature is rather sparse in original observations to draw upon.

Cornell University

In practice, H is rather sparse.

Earth, Planets and Space

Thus, the distribution of the ground-based receivers is rather sparse in the southern hemisphere, dominated by oceans.

Earth, Planets and Space

Our economic data for Côte d'Ivoire is rather sparse, since it is aggregated at the level of ten development poles [1].

EPJ Data Science

The JMA earthquake catalogue includes 185 events (Fig. 5), which is rather sparse compared with the DONET catalogue of 1377 events (Fig. 3).

Earth, Planets and Space

In northeastern China, where ray path coverage is rather sparse (less than 200; see Figure 5), the point anomalies spread out to 1.5° × 1.5°. Figure 6 Resolution test for the inversion analysis of the Lg wave propagation.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Reports that plasma melatonin is an important immune regulator in avian species have been rather sparse and contradictory.

General and Comparative Endocrinology

As at most sites, the information was rather sparse; also -- no surprise -- the nicer hotels are always more expensive than the rock-bottom package prices advertised.

The New York Times - Travel

Despite the huge amount of theoretical propositions of learner characteristics considered as relevant for learner models, practical payoffs are rather sparse.

Computers in Human Behavior

For example, the protein-protein interaction network for yeast is nearly complete (although noisy), whereas the sets of available interactions for Arabidopsis thaliana and Xenopus laevis are rather sparse (but less noisy, given a smaller fraction of high-throughput data).

Nature

As the data published for one and the same material in vitro and in vivo are rather sparse, however, only few examples are shown and discussed with a broad range of relations, having the same or less biomechanical outcome (group 1), having increased biomechanical outcome in vivo (group 2), or having an orders of magnitudes higher biomechanics compared to initial in vitro findings (group 3).

Biomechanics of Tendons and Ligaments Tissue Reconstruction and Regeneration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather sparse", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or limited. For example, "The data available on this topic is rather sparse, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions."

Common error

Avoid overstating the scarcity. "Is rather sparse" suggests a noticeable but not extreme lack. If something is almost entirely absent, consider stronger terms like "nonexistent" or "virtually absent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather sparse" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, serving to characterize a noun or subject as lacking in quantity, density, or completeness. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing limited data, populations, or information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather sparse" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something lacking in quantity, density, or completeness. Ludwig AI describes the phrase as correct in written English. Its usage spans across various domains, predominantly in science, news, and encyclopedias. While it's not the most common phrase, it is well-understood and effective in conveying a sense of scarcity or limitation. It’s important to understand the context and the degree of scarcity to use it correctly, and to consider more accurate alternatives if the shortage is too high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is sparsely populated

Similar to the original but uses an adverb to modify 'populated'.

is somewhat limited

Changes the adjective to 'limited' providing a slightly less intense sense of scarcity.

is fairly thin

Replaces 'sparse' with 'thin', focusing on the lack of density or substance.

is quite meager

Uses 'meager' to emphasize the inadequacy or insufficiency of something.

is relatively scant

Employs 'scant' to highlight the insufficient amount or supply.

is not abundant

Uses a negative construction to indicate the lack of abundance.

is thinly distributed

Focuses on the distribution aspect, emphasizing that items are spread out with significant gaps.

is rather deficient

Emphasizes a lack or shortage, suggesting something is incomplete.

is poorly populated

Highlights the lack of inhabitants or elements within a specific area or set.

is infrequently found

Shifts the focus to the rarity of encountering something.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather sparse" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather sparse" to describe something that is limited, thin, or lacking in quantity or detail. For example: "The evidence supporting this claim is rather sparse."

What's a more formal alternative to "is rather sparse"?

More formal alternatives include phrases such as "is somewhat limited" or "is relatively scant".

What's the difference between "is rather sparse" and "is very sparse"?

"Is rather sparse" indicates a noticeable lack, whereas "is very sparse" suggests a more significant and pronounced deficiency.

Is "is rather sparse" always negative?

While "is rather sparse" often carries a negative connotation by highlighting a lack or deficiency, the impact depends on context. For instance, a "rather sparse" crowd at an event might be seen as a disappointment, but a "rather sparse" distribution of harmful bacteria could be a positive observation.