sparse few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparse few" is not correct and is considered redundant in written English.
It is typically used when trying to describe a very small number of something, but "sparse" already implies a lack of quantity. Example: "There were a sparse few attendees at the event, making it feel quite empty."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Bower gives a sparse few sentences to Northern Ireland in which he forces himself to acknowledge that Blair had a "success" – but only in order to launch an argument that it deluded the accused into thinking he had the capacity to resolve other conflicts.

The Guardian - Books

Because of its great depth, for a long time Davidson Seamount had been preceded only by a sparse few investigations.

Wikipedia

Sans dialogue, via the sparse few words written in subtitles or newspapers, or heard over the radio, we learn that the film takes place in 1982, the twilight of a long and bloody series of military dictatorships ruling Argentina.

Vice

Sections stained for PrPd were initially examined blind and the number of PrPd-positive structures were recorded as negative, sparse, few, moderate or marked.

Brain Pathology

When the table is sparse, few genes are identified as cancer-associated; and for a specific gene, associations with few cancers are identified.

BMC Genomics

In either case the over-dispersion ψ is best estimated from the Pearson chi-squared statistic, though neither this nor other estimates are consistent when data are sparse (few events per stratum) [ 13].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In addition, the baseline maps were very sparse, with few actors and few linkages between actors, indicating weak information flows around family planning/reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

Global health, science and practice

There's not a fast song on it, and the structures are sparse: a few chords, often just a few notes picked on an acoustic guitar.

The New York Times - Arts

Travel outside of Havana is sparse, with few cars on the roads and fewer fuel stations, so a sense of adventure is a must.

Huffington Post

But the listings are often sparse, with few contributors and little of substance.

The New York Times

Research in this area is still relatively sparse, and few medical educators are well versed in this topic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "sparse few" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives like "very few" or "a small number" to maintain precision and avoid redundancy.

Common error

Be careful not to use redundant adjectives. "Sparse" already implies a small quantity, so adding "few" can make your writing sound awkward. Choose one or the other for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse few" functions as a quantifier, attempting to describe a small quantity of something that is also thinly distributed. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is not considered correct due to redundancy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sparse few" is considered grammatically questionable due to redundancy, as "sparse" already implies a small quantity. While it appears in various sources like The New York Times and scientific journals, Ludwig AI suggests it's best to use more precise alternatives such as /s/very+few or /s/small+number, especially in formal writing. Although the intention is to indicate scarcity, clarity and grammatical correctness should take precedence. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid using "sparse few" in favor of more standard English expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very few

Emphasizes the small quantity directly without implying distribution.

a scant few

Replaces "sparse" with "scant", offering a more formal tone.

a limited number

Uses a more formal and precise expression to indicate a small quantity.

a small number

A straightforward and common way to express a reduced quantity.

not many

A more informal way to express a small quantity.

only a few

Highlights the exclusivity and smallness of the quantity.

a handful

Implies the quantity is small enough to be held in one hand.

a trickle

Suggests a very small and gradual amount.

a scattering of

Indicates a small quantity that is distributed loosely.

a smattering of

Implies a small quantity that is not very substantial or complete.

FAQs

Is the phrase "sparse few" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "sparse few" is not correct and is considered redundant in written English. It's better to use alternatives like /s/very+few or /s/scant+number.

What's a more formal way to say "sparse few"?

A more formal way to express the idea of "sparse few" is to use /s/limited+number or /s/small+number. These options are clearer and avoid the potential redundancy.

Can "sparse few" be used in all contexts?

While you might encounter "sparse few" in some informal contexts, it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically standard alternatives.

What's the difference between "sparse few" and /s/scarce+few?

"Sparse few" and "scarce few" both suggest a small quantity, but "sparse" implies a wider distribution while "scarce" emphasizes the lack of availability. Since they are redundant, it's best to use only 'sparse' or only 'scarce'.