sparsely filled

USAGE SUMMARY

"sparsely filled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is only partially filled, as in, "The room was sparsely filled with furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The bride's side was more sparsely filled.

The New Yorker

(These can be rented, but at this point are sparsely filled).

The New York Times

"We don't have too many people here," Thompson said, scanning the sparsely filled convention hall.

The New York Times - Magazine

His voice boomed through the enormous empty theater, which our 40 or so in numbers only sparsely filled.

Harvard University

Citi Field seemed sparsely filled Thursday — though understandably so, because it was a weekday game with a lunchtime start.

The New York Times - Sports

But a smattering of girls in Scouting uniforms sat with the Boy Scouts in the back pews of the sparsely filled church.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Gerrymandering by the BN means that Sabah and Sarawak, largely rural and sparsely inhabited, fill almost a quarter of the federal parliament's seats, out of all proportion to their populations.

The Economist

Gerrymandering by the BN means that Sabah and Sarawak, rural and sparsely inhabited, fill almost a quarter of the federal parliament's seats—out of all proportion with their populations.

The Economist

Mr. Commey's room was sparsely decorated and filled with bags of trash, neighbors said.

The New York Times

While at 3 Mills, however, Anderson spent less time on the sets than he did sitting in a large, sparsely furnished office filled with screens and computers, where Weisblum was editing.

The New Yorker

Imagine having a closet that isn't packed with clothes you don't like, that don't fit or that you rarely wear — and in its place, a sparsely populated closet filled with clothes that you love, that is easy to keep organized and that simplifies getting dressed in the morning.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical spaces or containers, "sparsely filled" accurately conveys that only a small amount of the total capacity is being used. Use this phrase to highlight the underutilization of space or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "sparsely filled" when you actually mean "sparsely populated". "Sparsely filled" refers to the quantity or amount that fills a space, while "sparsely populated" refers to the number of inhabitants in a given area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparsely filled" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig examples show it describes the extent to which something is occupied or full. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparsely filled" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that describes a state of being less than full. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media, followed by scientific writing, to depict underutilized spaces or resources. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the quantity of content, distinguishing it from population density. Consider alternatives like "partially full" or "thinly populated" to refine your meaning. This careful usage will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparsely populated

Focuses specifically on population density, similar to 'thinly populated'.

partially full

Directly states that something is not completely full.

thinly populated

Focuses on the population density rather than the physical filling of a space.

scantily occupied

Emphasizes the lack of occupants or inhabitants.

not densely packed

Emphasizes the absence of a high concentration of items or people.

under-attended

Specifically refers to events or gatherings with fewer attendees than expected.

poorly attended

Similar to 'under-attended' but may carry a slightly more negative connotation.

lightly packed

Suggests a low density of items within a container or space.

incompletely loaded

Implies that a load or container has not been filled to its capacity.

meagerly stocked

Highlights the limited quantity of items available.

FAQs

How can I use "sparsely filled" in a sentence?

You can use "sparsely filled" to describe a container, room, or any space that is not full, such as "The theater was "sparsely filled" for the matinee performance".

What is a good substitute for "sparsely filled"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "partially full", "thinly populated", or "lightly packed" as alternatives to "sparsely filled".

Is it correct to say "sparsely filled" or should I use a different phrase?

Yes, "sparsely filled" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Other options such as "scantily occupied" might be more appropriate depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "sparsely filled" mean?

"Sparsely filled" means that something is only partially full or contains very little of what it could potentially hold. For example, a sparsely filled auditorium has many empty seats.