sparse knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparse knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has limited or insufficient knowledge about a particular subject or area. Example: "Despite his years of experience, he had only sparse knowledge of the latest technologies in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Untold Story" establishes its main character with a handful of her familiar proclivities (bulimia) and phrases ("Thick as a plank, that's me").The book's real problem as alt-history lies in its sparse knowledge of history itself.

The New Yorker

So peculiar did Piero's fellow artists find his work that Giorgio Vasari, an art historian writing a couple of decades after his death, padded his sparse knowledge of the painter's life with a host of speculative eccentricities.

The Economist

With the increase in the number of FRP composite structural members being constructed currently and the sparse knowledge of the long-term property characteristics of composite materials, it is advantageous to monitor the performance of such structures with time.

Durability of Composites for Civil Structural Applications

Jones has filled his 325 large-type, spaciously margined pages with potted history, irrelevant observations (Lord Curzon had to use a corset due to a childhood injury), excursions into the war on Iraq, the history of al-Qaida, and just about anything that might deflect the reader's attention from the author's sparse knowledge and shoddy analysis.

Forbes

How to prioritize the definition of quality criteria or norms for all of these new substances for which we generally have only sparse knowledge on their behaviour in the environment or on their toxic effects on human health or the environment?

Chemistry Central Journal

Sparse knowledge exists on how work-related factors influence this differential course of pain recovery.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The high number of candidate toxin genes we found is likely not specific to A. elegantissima or to acrorhagi, but reflects our next-generation sequencing approach and relatively sparse prior knowledge of genetic diversity of toxins in sea anemones.

BMC Genomics

Despite the fact that the incidence in MC has been rising over the last decades, research has been sparse and our knowledge about MC remains limited.

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis

Information of TF binding sites – besides computationally predicted sites – is sparse and the knowledge on target sets of TFs is limited.

BMC Genomics

Epidemiologic data are sparse; to our knowledge, these results are the first to prospectively assess BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, and 153 levels in breast milk and social and emotional behavioral development.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Not only does it focus attention on a very early period of Martian geology, of which knowledge is sparse, but the new findings, Dr. Murray said in an interview, also provide an intriguing geological record of "when there was an Earthlike atmosphere" on Mars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a lack of knowledge, consider the specific context to choose a synonym for "sparse knowledge" that best conveys the nuance you intend (e.g. "scant", "limited", "rudimentary").

Common error

Avoid using "sparse knowledge" when the situation involves complete ignorance. "Sparse knowledge" implies some understanding, however minimal. Use "lack of knowledge" or "complete ignorance" when there is no understanding at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sparse" modifies the noun "knowledge". It describes the quality or state of knowledge being limited or insufficient. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparse knowledge" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a situation where information or understanding is limited. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjective-noun phrase and is commonly used across science, news, and formal contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "scant knowledge" or "limited understanding", the best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When using this phrase, be sure that a minimal level of knowledge does exist. Otherwise, terms like "lack of knowledge" are more appropriate. This ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scant knowledge

Replaces 'sparse' with 'scant', implying a minimal amount of knowledge.

limited understanding

Substitutes 'knowledge' with 'understanding', focusing on comprehension rather than information.

meager knowledge

Uses 'meager' to emphasize the lack of substance in the knowledge.

rudimentary knowledge

Indicates a basic or elementary level of knowledge.

superficial understanding

Suggests a shallow or surface-level comprehension.

inadequate knowledge

Highlights the insufficiency of the knowledge for a specific purpose.

patchy understanding

Emphasizes that the knowledge is inconsistent and incomplete.

fragmentary knowledge

Suggests that the knowledge is broken or incomplete, consisting of disconnected pieces.

thin understanding

Implies a lack of depth or substance in the understanding.

cursory knowledge

Indicates a quick and perhaps superficial acquisition of knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "sparse knowledge" to describe a situation where someone has limited or insufficient knowledge about a particular subject, for example: "Despite years of study, his knowledge of the topic remained sparse".

What can I say instead of "sparse knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "scant knowledge", "limited understanding", or "meager knowledge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sparse knowledge" or "scarce knowledge"?

Both "sparse knowledge" and "scarce knowledge" are grammatically correct and can be used to describe a limited amount of knowledge. "Sparse knowledge" is slightly more common, but the choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What's the difference between "sparse knowledge" and "fragmented knowledge"?

"Sparse knowledge" implies a general lack of information, whereas "fragmented knowledge" suggests that the information is incomplete or disconnected.