sparsely populated

USAGE SUMMARY

"sparsely populated" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a place or region with a low population density. For example, "the small, sparsely populated town in Montana."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The hills are sparsely populated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The région is sparsely populated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sidewalks are often sparsely populated.

The New York Times

The Mackenzie River basin is sparsely populated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is largely forested and sparsely populated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is Hungary's most sparsely populated county.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bridge was sparsely populated on a workday.

The New Yorker

It is sparsely populated and inhabited mostly by nomadic Tuaregs.

The Guardian

The desert area southwest of Alice Springs is sparsely populated.

The Guardian

It is the most sparsely populated country in the world.

The New York Times

The snow-dusted sidewalks were still sparsely populated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing regions, use "sparsely populated" to clearly convey a low concentration of residents, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "sparsely populated" when describing a region. Elaborate on the geographical, economic, or historical reasons contributing to the low population density to provide a more nuanced understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparsely populated" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (e.g., area, region, country) to describe its population density. Ludwig highlights this usage in numerous examples, where the phrase consistently characterizes areas with a low concentration of inhabitants.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

26%

News & Media

53%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sparsely populated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, to describe areas with low population density. Appearing commonly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. When using the phrase, be sure to offer more specific details about why a place is "sparsely populated". Alternatives such as "thinly populated" or "lightly populated" can be employed for variety, but maintain essentially the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinly populated

Indicates a low density of population, similar to "sparsely populated".

lightly populated

Emphasizes the low number of people residing in a particular location.

underpopulated

Suggests that an area has fewer people than it could potentially support or needs.

scarcely populated

Highlights the rarity of inhabitants in a region.

weakly populated

Similar to sparsely, indicating few inhabitants.

infrequently populated

Focuses on the uncommon occurrence of people living in a place.

minimally populated

Stresses the small number of people living in an area.

hardly populated

Emphasizes the lack of population in a location.

rarely populated

Highlights how uncommon it is to find people living in a specific area.

slightly populated

Describes an area as having a marginal number of residents.

FAQs

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

You can use "sparsely populated" to describe regions with low population density. For instance, "The desert is a "sparsely populated" area with few settlements."

What are some alternatives to saying "sparsely populated"?

Alternatives include "thinly populated", "lightly populated", or "underpopulated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "sparsely populated area" or should I use another term?

"Sparsely populated area" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. However, you could also use "area with low population density" for a more formal tone.

What factors can cause a region to be "sparsely populated"?

Regions can be "sparsely populated" due to various factors such as harsh climates, lack of resources, geographical isolation, or historical events.