sparse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sparse' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is thinly scattered or thinly distributed, such as an area with few trees or buildings. Example sentence: The sparse trees provided little shade during the hot summer months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a shame then that the prospect of it failed to attract anything other than a sparse Sunday crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Clinton's apology echoed a reflection – racist and arrogant as it was – in my grandfather's letters: "The natives work with delightful laziness under their enormous hats and sparse beards.

The Guardian - Opinion

More importantly, if it is the case then it's another sign of structural weakness for the sparse Santorum campaign.

The Guardian

At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, more than 100 flights were canceled, according to FlightStats.com, and crowds were sparse on Monday morning as travelers made alternate plans.

The Guardian

It sounds as if he's already paying homage to Joe Strummer with his sparse and slurring musical style, but he looks remarkably cherubic, far from the pale and hollow cheeks of his latter-day image.

The Guardian - Music

If every player reacted in a similar manner to Cantona, football pitches would be sparse places come the end of 90 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

And Ukrainian units are particularly sparse in the eastern region along this border.

The Guardian

Details of the incident remain sparse but a spokesman for Santa Ana police said three officers were dispatched to the scene after a suspect's car was identified.

The Guardian

Hip-hop has been heading in this direction for a while, pushing beats that are sparse and weird and foregoing big hooks sung by the likes of Rihanna, and now that sound has begun to manifest itself in pop's coolest tracks.

The Guardian - Music

The campaign was as sparse as it was relentless, throwing up a din of indecipherable teasers and unlockable Twitter trailers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Is the roll of honour sorted – it looked sparse on the wall – I'm worries about it!" (sic), she wrote about school decorations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sparse", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of scarcity or distribution. For example, "sparse attendance" implies low turnout, while "sparse vegetation" indicates thinly distributed plant life.

Common error

Avoid using "sparse" interchangeably with words like "scarce" or "scanty" without considering the specific nuance. "Sparse" typically refers to distribution, while "scarce" and "scanty" emphasize quantity. Remember that a "scarce" resource might be highly sought after, whereas a "sparse" population indicates a low density of people.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sparse" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being thinly distributed or having low density. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "sparse" qualifies nouns like "vegetation", "crowd", and "details".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sparse" functions as an adjective that indicates a lack of density or abundance, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It enjoys very common usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember that "sparse" focuses on distribution rather than quantity. While the word is grammatically sound and versatile, selecting synonyms like "scanty", "meager", or "limited" can provide more precise descriptions depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinly scattered

Focuses on the distribution of elements rather than the overall quantity.

meager

Emphasizes the inadequacy or insufficiency of something.

scanty

Highlights the limited or insufficient amount of something available.

limited

Indicates a restriction in quantity or extent.

deficient

Stresses the lack of something essential or necessary.

inadequate

Suggests something is not sufficient to meet a particular need or requirement.

scarce

Indicates a shortage or rarity of something.

few and far between

Emphasizes the infrequency and wide spacing of occurrences.

poor

Suggests a lack of quality or abundance.

reduced

Indicates a lessening in amount, size, or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "sparse" in a sentence?

You can use "sparse" to describe something that is thinly distributed or has a low density. For example, "The desert had sparse vegetation" or "The meeting had sparse attendance".

What are some synonyms for "sparse"?

Some synonyms for "sparse" include "scanty", "meager", "limited", and "thinly scattered". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "sparse amount"?

While not incorrect, it's more common to say "small amount" or "limited amount". "Sparse" is usually used to describe the distribution or density of something, rather than the amount itself. For instance, it is better to say a "sparse population".

What's the difference between "sparse" and "scarce"?

"Sparse" describes how things are distributed—thinly spread or scattered. "Scarce" refers to a limited quantity or availability. For example, "The rainfall was sparse this year," meaning it didn't rain often. "Water was scarce," means there was not much water available.