sparse resource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sparse resource' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a resource that exists in only small amounts or is difficult to find. For example: "With water becoming a sparse resource in many parts of the world, it's essential that we conserve it whenever possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As presented here, "Rain" explores the profound spiritual involvement of six southwestern cultures -- the Hopi, Navajo, Apache and Tohono O'odham of Arizona and the Zuni and Rio Grande Pueblos of New Mexico -- with the powerful but sparse resource that makes life and growth possible.

The New York Times - Arts

Aside from eliminating the monetary travel cost and the opportunity cost of time spent on red-eye flights and in jet-lagged meetings that plague global business, mixed reality reduces an even more sparse resource — real estate.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Schools are also inadequate in these neighborhoods, with enrollments straining already sparse resources.

The New York Times

The fierce competition for sparse resources is compounded by security fears and deeply conflicting national claims.

The New York Times

In a region of sparse resources, already inhabited by a direct competitor, the study said, polar bears will struggle.

The Guardian

It was a perfect storm of bad weather, sparse resources and poor management that North Korea managed to ride out with massive international aid.

The Guardian

Aside from gothic architecture, lumbering monsters, sparse resources and jump shock, Mikami's games have always been known for something else: strong female characters.

The Guardian - Tech

It is disturbing to note the deafening silence about how the Indian elite has disproportionately and unjustly allocated sparse resources to itself over the last six decades.

The New York Times

Frustrated by huge class sizes, sparse resources and a disorganized bureaucracy, he set off to the University of Connecticut to get an MFA in his passion puppetry.

The Economist

Some community members have worried aloud that the school, which will open in the fall of 2003, will drain already sparse resources from local public schools by luring young, bright children and their supportive parents.

The New York Times

The effects of calorie restriction may simply be an evolutionary legacy, "a metabolic, hormonal and molecular adaptation" to a world of sparse resources, as Luigi Fontana, one doctor in charge of the Washington University trial who also holds a position at the National Institute of Health in Italy, described it to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental issues or conservation efforts, use "sparse resource" to highlight the limited availability of natural resources like water or arable land, emphasizing the need for careful management.

Common error

While both words denote a limited quantity, "sparse" often implies a scattered or thinly distributed presence, while "scarce" suggests a general rarity. Use "sparse" when emphasizing the distribution, and "scarce" when highlighting overall limited availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse resource" functions as a noun phrase, where "sparse" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "resource". It's used to characterize a resource that is limited in quantity or availability. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparse resource" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, with "sparse" modifying "resource" to indicate a limited or thinly distributed availability. While the phrase is more common in scientific, news and media, and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. Given its limited usage frequency and subtle difference from alternatives like "scarce resource", writers should choose based on the desired nuance of distribution versus overall scarcity. When used, it effectively highlights the need for resource management and conservation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited resource

Replaces "sparse" with a direct synonym, focusing on the finite nature of the resource.

Scarce resource

Substitutes "sparse" with "scarce", emphasizing the rarity and difficulty in obtaining the resource.

Meager resource

Replaces "sparse" with "meager", highlighting the inadequacy or insufficiency of the resource.

Inadequate resource

Focuses on the insufficiency of the resource to meet the demands or needs.

Limited availability

Shifts the focus to the state of being available in small quantities rather than directly describing the resource.

Restricted resource

Implies that access to the resource is controlled or limited, often by external factors.

Dwindling resource

Suggests that the resource is decreasing over time, adding a sense of urgency.

Shrinking resource

Similar to dwindling, emphasizes the gradual reduction in the amount of the resource.

Deficient resource

Highlights a lack or shortage of the resource, implying a negative impact.

Minimal resource

Indicates that the resource is present in the smallest possible quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "sparse resource" to describe a resource that is limited in quantity or thinly distributed. For example, "Water is a "limited resource" in desert climates, requiring careful conservation efforts".

What are some alternatives to "sparse resource"?

Some alternatives include "scarce resource", ""limited resource"", or "meager resource", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sparse resource" or "scarce resource"?

Both "sparse resource" and "scarce resource" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Sparse" emphasizes distribution, while "scarce" emphasizes overall lack of availability.

What does it mean when a resource is described as "sparse"?

When a resource is described as "sparse", it means that it is present but only in small amounts or widely scattered, making it difficult to obtain or utilize effectively. This could apply to things like natural resources, funding, or even human resources.