somewhat sparse

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat sparse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is lacking in quantity or density, such as information, resources, or details. An example: "The report was somewhat sparse in its analysis of the data." Alternative expressions include "rather limited" and "fairly meager."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Somewhat sparse.

The New York Times - Travel

AMENITIES Somewhat sparse.

The New York Times - Travel

But signs of such enthusiasm still remain somewhat sparse.

The New York Times

The script is somewhat sparse, but every word the characters speak is packed with meaning.

The New York Times

THE CROWD Casual and somewhat sparse on my visits; few children.

The New York Times

In the speaking notes distributed to government MPs and senators entitled "budget explanations: schools and higher education", the "facts" are somewhat sparse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The sparse, somewhat surreal "Kid-Thing," a new feature from the Zellner brothers, is certainly disturbing.

The New York Times

Thus his account of the crucial Guayaquil encounter is sparse and somewhat anti-climactic.

The Economist

The thin-walled pleurocystidia are sparse, but somewhat common near the gill edge.

Wikipedia

Data for PLK3 function is sparse and somewhat contradictory.

British Journal of Cancer

The literature on gender differences in HRQOL for patients with CAD is sparse and somewhat contradictory.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, this phrase is ideal for describing datasets or literature reviews that are not yet comprehensive but provide a starting point for analysis.

Common error

Avoid combining multiple softeners, such as "slightly somewhat sparse". Choose one adverb of degree to maintain clarity and concise writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase acts as an adjectival phrase where "somewhat" serves as an adverb of degree modifying the adjective "sparse". As noted in Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to qualify the extent of a perceived shortage or low density.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "somewhat sparse" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for describing limited quantity or density. Ludwig examples reveal its prevalence in Science and News & Media, where it serves as a precise tool for qualification. Whether describing a "somewhat sparse" dataset in a research paper or "somewhat sparse" attendance at an event, the phrase provides a nuanced alternative to more absolute terms. It is consistently used by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist to maintain an objective and measured tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather limited

Increases the emphasis on the restriction or deficiency

fairly meager

Suggests a slightly more negative or insufficient quality

relatively thin

Focuses on the lack of density in a comparative sense

quite scanty

Implies a more severe or barely adequate amount

somewhat deficient

Shifts the focus toward a failure to meet a necessary standard

slightly inadequate

Explicitly mentions the insufficiency while maintaining a hedge

comparatively rare

Focuses on frequency and occurrence rather than physical density

rather patchy

Suggests an uneven distribution rather than just low quantity

modestly scattered

Uses a more neutral spatial descriptor

notably insufficient

Drops the hedge and highlights the lack as a significant point

FAQs

How do I use "somewhat sparse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical density or availability of information, for example: "The evidence supporting this theory remains "somewhat sparse" despite recent studies."

What can I say instead of "somewhat sparse"?

Depending on your specific context, you might use alternatives like "<a href="/s/rather+limited" target="_blank" rel="alternative">rather limited", "<a href="/s/fairly+meager" target="_blank" rel="alternative">fairly meager" or "<a href="/s/relatively+thin" target="_blank" rel="alternative">relatively thin".

Is "somewhat sparse" formal enough for scientific papers?

Yes, Ludwig shows it is frequently used in journals like The Lancet and PLOS ONE to describe data limitations or biological distributions with a professional tone.

What is the difference between "somewhat sparse" and "quite sparse"?

While both indicate a lack of density, "<a href="/s/quite+sparse" target="_blank" rel="alternative">quite sparse" often implies a higher degree of emptiness or a more significant deficiency than the more moderate "somewhat sparse".