sparse list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparse list" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a list that contains very few items or entries, indicating a lack of content or detail. Example: "The report provided a sparse list of recommendations, leaving out many important considerations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These pages do not usually cover the taxon in great depth, consisting of a sparse list of the identifying traits of organisms in the taxon and a brief discussion of the taxon's place in the tree of life.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hiddink earlier today told the Russian newspaper Sport Express Daily that the sparse fixture list for the national team means his role with Russia will not get in the way of his work with Chelsea and vice versa.

The Guardian - Sport

They would have found the cult of Joan dedicated to her laidback Californian look that mostly invoked ribbed T-shirts, loose hair and smoking – an aesthetic and attitude that pinpoints everything fashion aspires to right now, as famously illustrated by her sparse packing list.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Louis Changarnier Vin de Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir (£29.50) off the sparse but useable list is light and likeable.

Independent

Even with the Department of Labor's sparse legal framework, the list of lawsuits is endless.

The Guardian - Money

Yet beyond Iraq, his first-term accomplishments from that list are sparse.

The New York Times

In this work, the global stiffness matrix is stored using the coordinate list (COO) sparse storage format during matrix assembly.

ROBOMECH Journal

Table 2 Examples of bitmap-based sparse matrix representation Edges list SRC 0 0 6 7 DST 4 5 3 1 CSR Row-starts 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 DST 4 5 3 1 Bitmap-based sparse matrix representation Offset 0 1 3 Bitmap 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Row-starts 0 2 3 4 DST 4 5 3 1 DCSR AUX 0 1 1 3 JC 0 6 7 Row-starts 0 2 3 4 DST 4 5 3 1.

Data Science and Engineering

For example, some guidelines omitted details of their methods for searching the literature, or provided sparse (or no) reference lists.

British Medical Journal

Donald Trump, on the other hand, has a very sparse and rather amateurishly composed list of policies on his website.

The Guardian

This can be accounted for the observation that clustering at reasonable similarity thresholds gives rise to sparse CMLs, i.e. list roots associate to a number of nodes that are only a fraction of the size of the whole dataset.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sparse list", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "limited list" or "minimal list" might be more appropriate to convey the exact nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid using "sparse list" when a simpler term like "short list" is sufficient. Overusing "sparse" can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse list" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'sparse' modifies the noun 'list'. It denotes a list containing very few items or elements. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sparse list" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a list containing few items or lacking detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use, although contexts with scientific or journalistic background are more frequent. Consider replacing it with alternatives like "limited list" or "short list" to improve readability or match the context's formality. Overusing the term "sparse list" could lead to wordiness, so choose simpler, more direct alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited list

Focuses on the restriction in the number of items.

scant list

Emphasizes the insufficiency or meagerness of the list.

minimal list

Highlights the bare minimum number of items included.

short list

Directly refers to the length of the list being brief.

meager list

Emphasizes the lack of substance or quantity in the list.

deficient list

Focuses on the list lacking necessary components.

thin list

Implies a lack of depth or comprehensiveness.

reduced list

Highlights the act of making the list smaller.

abbreviated list

Suggests that the list has been shortened or condensed.

inadequate list

Focuses on the list's failure to meet requirements.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The report provided a "sparse list" of recommendations, failing to address many critical issues."

What can I say instead of "sparse list"?

You can use alternatives like "limited list", "minimal list", or "short list" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "sparse list"?

Use "sparse list" when you want to emphasize not only the shortness of a list, but also the deficiency or lack of detail within it. It's suitable when the list's brevity is a notable characteristic.

Is "sparse list" formal or informal?

The term "sparse list" leans towards formal usage. In more casual contexts, consider using "short list".