sparse with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparse with" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It could be used when describing something that is lacking in quantity or density, but it is more typical to use "sparse in" or "sparse of." Example: "The vegetation in the area is sparse with only a few trees scattered throughout."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is sparse with words.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times

His hair is white and sparse, with matching fragments of mustache and beard.

The New Yorker

The invitation was sparse, with the headline simply saying: "Let's talk iPhone".

The New York Times

Deep in Kenya's interior, health facilities are sparse, with some located up to 100 kilometres from the communities they service.

The Guardian

The band was deliberately sparse, with its quick, pinpoint accents leaving plenty of space around Ms. Baca's curving vocal lines.

The New York Times - Arts

"Rich is sparse with words, but when he spoke, he was the center of the meeting's attention.

The New York Times

The store environment is straightforward and sparse, with computers, iPads and iPhones laid out simply on tables.

The Guardian - Tech

The populations of Alaska and Chukotka Province on the Russian side are sparse with few hearts and minds to win.

Yale University

The Fox app is thorough on stadium information and a bit sparse with information about past World Cups.

The New York Times - Sports

The crowds at Bears' home games this season grew more sparse with each defeat as the team finished last in the N.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a deliberate choice to minimize something, "sparse with" can be effective. For instance, "The design was intentionally sparse with details, creating a minimalist aesthetic."

Common error

While acceptable, "sparse with" can sound less precise than alternatives like "lacking in" or "deficient in", especially in formal contexts. Choose the wording that best fits the tone and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparse with" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a scarcity or limited quantity of something. Ludwig examples show it describing data, details, or resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

56%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sparse with" is used to describe a lack of something. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct, it is found in many sources. It is frequently employed in News & Media and scientific writing to denote scarcity or a deliberate minimisation of an element. The expert rating suggests acceptability, although more precise options might be available. When using "sparse with", consider the context and whether alternatives such as "lacking in" or "deficient in" may offer greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something, similar to "sparse with" but often more direct.

scarce in

Indicates a rarity or infrequency of something, closely related to the meaning of "sparse with".

deficient in

Suggests a more significant lack or inadequacy compared to "sparse with".

short on

Implies a limited quantity or supply of something, similar in connotation to "sparse with".

thin on the ground

Describes something that is scarce or not easily found, more idiomatic than "sparse with".

sparing with

Implies using something economically or frugally; close to the core sense of "sparse with".

meager in

Highlights the poor quality or small amount of something, similar in meaning to "sparse with".

limited in

Expresses a restriction or constraint on the availability of something, akin to "sparse with".

poorly supplied with

Emphasizes the inadequate provision of something, conveying a similar sense of scarcity to "sparse with".

understocked with

Suggests an insufficient inventory or supply of something, related to the concept of "sparse with".

FAQs

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

You can use "sparse with" to describe something that has very little of something else. For example, "The artist was "sparse with" color in the painting" or "He is "sparse with" words".

What does "sparse with" mean?

"Sparse with" means having very little of something or not using much of something.

What are some alternatives to "sparse with"?

Some alternatives to "sparse with" include "lacking in", "deficient in", or "short on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "sparse in" instead of "sparse with"?

While both can be used, "sparse with" focuses more on the deliberate action of using little of something, while "sparse in" focuses on the inherent scarcity of something. Ludwig AI does suggest that "sparse with" may not be considered correct, but it is found in many real-world usages.