sparing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of being frugal or using something in moderation. Example: "She was sparing with her compliments, only offering them when she truly meant it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today's recession is grave but in sparing the banks, however undeserving, governments spared their citizens from something worse at least so far.If a rescue makes sense, what sort?

The Economist

The one exception was Abbott's remark when he urged Indonesia to "reciprocate" for Australian aid by sparing the lives of Chan and Sukumaran.

The Guardian

French people working in the arts and entertainment – from circus clowns, choreographers, actors and musicians to camera operators and sound staff working at state TV – have a special dole system, designed to protect them in the downtime between jobs and sparing them the curse of out-of-work creatives elsewhere in the world: waiting tables or telesales.

The Guardian

If it's good enough for Andrew Leigh.. Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.48pm AEST05:48 Part of the newsletter-off (which I'm still sparing you) is a bare knuckle beat down on personal integrity between the two party leaders.

The Guardian

Friedman was not, however, an outstanding technician; he was relatively sparing in his use of mathematical models, and towards the end his use of econometrics ran into criticism.

The Guardian

Here, Mr Moynihan has used the scalpel rather than the cleaver, getting rid of Sallie Krawcheck, the head of the division, earlier this month but sparing Merrill in the bigger round of cuts.

The Economist

To some extent, this opacity helps Western Union, by sparing it negative publicity.

The Economist

But sparing the blushes of Barack Obama is far from the only reason why Israel should end its war without further delay.

The Economist

The "White Paper" is sparing in its new proposals a relief to financial firms groaning under a glut of past initiatives from the Brussels rule factory.

The Economist

As for the green technology that Japan can share, both sides say it is a good thing but are infuriatingly sparing with the details.

The Economist

Frugal often also means being sparing in the use of raw materials and their impact on the environment.The number of frugal products on the market is growing rapidly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sparing" to describe the use of resources, be specific about the resource being conserved (e.g., "sparing with water" or "sparing in the use of electricity").

Common error

Avoid using "sparing" when you mean to convey complete avoidance or absence. "Sparing" implies a degree of use or involvement, albeit a limited one, not total abstinence.

Linguistic Context

The word "sparing" functions as a present participle when used as a verb (e.g., "sparing them the curse") and as an adjective when describing prudent use of resources (e.g., "sparing in its new proposals"). Ludwig AI confirms the varied usage in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sparing" is a versatile term used both as a verb and an adjective, predominantly in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed to denote the act of avoiding something or using resources economically. While alternatives like "frugal" or "economical" exist, "sparing" uniquely combines resourcefulness with the intention of avoiding harm or waste. Be mindful of its specific connotations to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frugal

Suggests thriftiness and avoidance of unnecessary expenditure; stronger emphasis on avoiding spending.

economical

Implies careful management to avoid waste; focuses on financial prudence.

conserving

Highlights the preservation and careful use of resources; emphasizes maintaining something for future use.

moderate

Implies keeping something within reasonable limits; emphasizes balance rather than strict avoidance.

being thrifty with

Specifically means spending money carefully and avoiding waste.

avoiding the use of

More verbose, specifically emphasizing abstaining from utilizing something.

using in moderation

Suggests controlled and restrained usage.

avoiding

Focuses on preventing something from happening or being affected; emphasizes evasion.

being cautious with

Implies carefulness and prudence in the application of resources or actions.

rationing

Suggests strictly controlling the distribution of something, often due to scarcity.

FAQs

How can I use "sparing" in a sentence?

"Sparing" can describe using something frugally or avoiding something negative. For example, "She was "sparing with her compliments"" or "The government is "sparing no expense" to fight the disease".

What's the difference between "sparing" and "stingy"?

"Sparing" implies prudence and careful use, while "stingy" suggests excessive reluctance to spend or share. Someone "being sparing" might use resources wisely, while someone "being stingy" might hoard them unnecessarily.

What can I say instead of "sparing" to describe resource usage?

Alternatives include "economical", "frugal", or "thrifty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Economical" emphasizes efficiency, "frugal" emphasizes thrift, and "thrifty" emphasizes resourcefulness.

Is it correct to say "sparingly used"?

Yes, "sparingly used" is a grammatically correct and common phrase. It means something is used in small amounts or infrequently. For example, "The information was "sparingly used" in the report".