sparse evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"sparse evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has only a few pieces of evidence to support it. For example, "The team had only sparse evidence to back up their theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of these genes have been studied extensively before but sparse evidence of an extended 3'UTR could be found in the literature.

BMC Genomics

There is also sparse evidence for intentional platform faceting.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Information regarding the diplomacy of early peoples is based on sparse evidence.

Britannica

But there is only sparse evidence of life before the Cambrian era.

University of California, Berkeley

Sparse evidence collected since then has suggested that there might indeed be some kind of energy cut-off.

The New York Times - Science

The sparse evidence base has mainly relied on self-reported, cross-sectional data for social networks.

The Lancet

There is sparse evidence for a relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Dr Fuchs says that although early (and sparse) evidence suggests that AR surgery is more accurate, uptake is slow for several reasons.

The Economist

Most DPP data originated from studies of pre-diabetic whites, with only sparse evidence of the effect of DPP in African Americans (AAs) in community settings.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Sparse evidence of a co-aggregation of the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder provides support for a shared but nonspecific genetic etiology of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Psychiatry Research

Officials are facing pressure to decide whether to charge the man with sparse evidence or hold him in indefinite wartime detention, which the military has not done since 2008.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic and scientific writing, follow "sparse evidence" with a call for further research to strengthen the evidence base.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions based solely on "sparse evidence". Instead, frame findings as preliminary or suggestive, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse evidence" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "evidence". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It indicates that the amount of evidence available is limited or insufficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparse evidence" is grammatically correct and frequently used to describe situations where the available evidence is limited or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable term in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, as well as in news reporting, indicating a lack of strong supporting data or proof. Related phrases, such as "limited proof" or "scant data", can be used as alternatives depending on the context. When using "sparse evidence", it is crucial to avoid overstating conclusions and to acknowledge the limitations of the available data. The term serves to communicate caution and the need for further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited proof

This alternative replaces "evidence" with "proof" and "sparse" with "limited", emphasizing the scarcity of confirmation.

scant data

This phrase substitutes "evidence" with "data" and "sparse" with "scant", highlighting the lack of sufficient information.

meager support

This option replaces "evidence" with "support" and "sparse" with "meager", focusing on the minimal backing available.

little substantiation

This alternative uses "substantiation" instead of "evidence" and "little" for "sparse", indicating a lack of validation.

thin rationale

This phrase substitutes "evidence" with "rationale" and "sparse" with "thin", suggesting a weak justification.

minimal indication

This option replaces "evidence" with "indication" and "sparse" with "minimal", pointing to a slight suggestion without strong proof.

inconclusive findings

This alternative uses "inconclusive findings" instead of "sparse evidence", denoting results that do not provide a clear answer.

fragmentary data

This phrase substitutes "evidence" with "data" and "sparse" with "fragmentary", emphasizing that the available information is incomplete and scattered.

tenuous grounds

This option replaces "evidence" with "grounds" and "sparse" with "tenuous", highlighting the weak and uncertain basis.

limited corroboration

This phrase replaces "evidence" with "corroboration" and "sparse" with "limited" indicating insufficient confirmation or validation.

FAQs

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

"Sparse evidence" is used to describe situations where there is not much evidence available. For example: "There is "sparse evidence" to support the claim that the new policy will reduce crime."

What are some synonyms for "sparse evidence"?

Alternatives to "sparse evidence" include "limited proof", "scant data", or "meager support". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "sparse evidence" in formal writing?

Yes, "sparse evidence" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and objective way to describe a situation where the available evidence is limited. It is commonly used in scientific, academic, and professional contexts.

What does it mean when research findings are based on "sparse evidence"?

When research findings are based on "sparse evidence", it means that the conclusions are drawn from a limited amount of data or information. This suggests that the findings may be preliminary or uncertain, and further research is needed to confirm or refute them.