sparse crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparse crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gathering of people that is not densely populated or has a low number of attendees. Example: "Despite the event being highly advertised, the venue was filled with a sparse crowd, leaving many seats empty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The relatively sparse crowd gave Ewing a warm, generous ovation.

The New York Times - Sports

Many of the fans then left, thinning a sparse crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

At the Pit, she paused to address the sparse crowd.

The New York Times - Arts

He took the stage to tepid applause from a sparse crowd.

The Washington Post

Thomas was given a standing ovation by the sparse crowd during pregame introductions.

The New York Times - Sports

England's final day of the winter had glorious weather but another sparse crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

As we entered the arena, the sparse crowd began to stir.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, Jim and Carol Needham of Mira Loma, Calif., were in the sparse crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite a sparse crowd, the event still held its allure yesterday for the competitors.

The New York Times - Sports

Before a sparse crowd, unarmed soldiers from the five-country Eurocorps hoisted the European flag.

The Economist

All that was left for the sparse crowd to do was watch Gonzalez work.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "sparse crowd", consider the connotation you want to convey. It can imply disappointment or a lack of interest, so choose it carefully if you want to maintain a neutral tone.

Common error

Avoid confusing "sparse", meaning thinly distributed, with words like "scary" or "eerie". A "sparse crowd" simply means there aren't many people present, not that the crowd is frightening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse crowd" functions as a noun phrase where "sparse" is an adjective modifying the noun "crowd". Ludwig examples show it used to describe gatherings in various contexts, indicating a low number of attendees.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparse crowd" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a gathering with few attendees, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to objectively depict attendance levels. While neutral in tone, the phrase can imply disappointment or lack of interest. Alternatives like "thin attendance" or "small gathering" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid confusing "sparse" with words like "scary". Use the phrase "sparse crowd" when you need to accurately convey that a gathering is not well-attended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lightly attended

Describes an event with few participants.

thin attendance

Focuses on the lack of people attending an event.

poorly attended

Describes an event that did not attract a large audience.

poor turnout

Highlights the disappointing number of attendees.

small gathering

Emphasizes the limited number of people present.

scant audience

Emphasizes the minimal number of viewers or listeners.

meager audience

Stresses the inadequacy of the audience size.

limited number of attendees

Directly states the restricted count of people present.

underpopulated assembly

Highlights the low density of people gathered.

reduced presence

Highlights the diminished visibility of people at an event.

FAQs

How can I use "sparse crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "sparse crowd" to describe an event or location with few attendees, for example: "The speaker addressed a "sparse crowd" at the conference."

What's a good alternative to "sparse crowd"?

Alternatives to "sparse crowd" include phrases like "small gathering", "thin attendance", or "poor turnout" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "sparsely populated crowd"?

While "sparsely populated" is grammatically correct, it's more commonly used to describe regions or areas. For people, ""sparse crowd"" is the more idiomatic and natural choice.

What does "sparse crowd" imply?

"Sparse crowd" typically implies that the expected or desired number of attendees was not met. It can also suggest a lack of interest in the event or a scheduling conflict.