is very sparse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very sparse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is thinly distributed, lacking in quantity, or minimal in detail. Example: "The vegetation in the desert is very sparse, making it difficult for wildlife to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So of course, this is very sparse data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As most compounds are composed of fewer than five elements, the input vector is very sparse.

Nature

"As we see it, the activity in the Harlem area itself is very sparse".

The New York Times

"There are hills, rivers and dense forests and the population is very sparse.

Independent

For natural scenes the spiking generated by ganglion cells is very sparse in both space and time.

University of California, Berkeley

Up-to-date epidemiologic evidence is very sparse regarding the relation between PM and years of life lost (YLL).

Environmental Pollution

Nodes can be allocated equal size only for a layout that is very sparse, which makes comparisons between levels equally difficult.

Stanford University

"The high montane forest is very sparse and consists of two Pinus species, one of which is probably P. murrayana Engelm.

University of California, Berkeley

The fossil record of soft-bodied cnidarians is very sparse, although the record of corals and other mineralizing cnidarians is excellent.

University of California, Berkeley

Much of the album is very sparse - just piano, guitar, perhaps a little percussive shuffle and the demon violin of Steve Wickham, the songs built around a handful of repeated or subtly developing lines.

The Guardian - Music

"The problem is that the data is very sparse right now," said Dr. Larry Lipschultz, a specialist in the field of male infertility and a past president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data sets or distributions, use "is very sparse" to clearly indicate a low density of points or elements, which can inform the choice of appropriate analytical methods.

Common error

Avoid using "is very sparse" when you actually mean "is incomplete" or "is missing". Sparseness implies a low density of existing elements, not necessarily the absence of expected ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very sparse" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or subject to describe its distribution or density. It indicates that the subject exists in small quantities or is thinly spread. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

22%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very sparse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase indicating that something is thinly distributed or exists in small quantities. It's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from scientific literature to news reports, and conveys a sense of scarcity or low density. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. When choosing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and consider alternatives like "is quite limited" or "is thinly distributed" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is thinly distributed

Focuses on the spread of something across an area, highlighting the lack of concentration inherent in "is very sparse".

is thinly scattered

Similar to "thinly distributed", this emphasizes the spread and separation of elements.

is thinly spread

Focuses on how little of something is present over an area or time period.

is quite limited

Indicates a restriction in quantity or extent, implying less availability than "is very sparse".

is notably scarce

Emphasizes the insufficiency of something, implying a deficiency that "is very sparse" can also convey.

is extremely minimal

Suggests the lowest possible quantity or degree, emphasizing the smallness rather than the distribution implied by "is very sparse".

is scarcely populated

Specifically refers to a low number of inhabitants in a given area, a context where "is very sparse" is also applicable.

is highly infrequent

Highlights the rare occurrence of something, focusing on time rather than spatial distribution.

is markedly reduced

Suggests a decrease from a previous, higher amount, which can lead to a state of being "very sparse".

is severely lacking

Highlights a deficiency, emphasizing the negative consequences of the sparseness.

FAQs

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

You can use "is very sparse" to describe data, populations, vegetation, or any other context where a low density or quantity is present. For example: "The data for that region is very sparse", or "The vegetation on the mountain is very sparse".

What are some alternatives to saying "is very sparse"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "is quite limited", "is thinly distributed", or "is extremely minimal".

Is it grammatically correct to say "is very sparse"?

Yes, "is very sparse" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for adjective phrases modifying a subject.

What does "is very sparse" mean?

"Is very sparse" means that something exists in small quantities or is thinly distributed. It suggests a lack of density or abundance in a given context.