sparsely speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparsely speaking" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as referring to speaking in a sparse or minimal manner, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "Sparsely speaking, the presentation lacked depth and detail, leaving the audience wanting more information."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Strictly and sparsely speaking, it is true.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They resumed campaigning on Labor Day weekend, and Heinz Kerry spent the holiday in her home state, marching with thousands of citizens in a Pittsburgh parade and speaking at a sparsely attended union picnic and rally in Philadelphia.

The New Yorker

Mr. Wolfson, speaking from a sparsely decorated Bloomberg campaign office in Midtown Manhattan, said: "People are working here for the same reasons that two-thirds of New Yorkers think the mayor is doing a good job: Crime is down, school test scores are up, and the city is a better place to live".

The New York Times

Regional Differences in Traffic Accidents Moose collisions occurred in sparsely populated areas were, relatively speaking, much more frequent in the Province of Oulu than in the Province of Southern Finland and the province of Western Finland.

Data Science and Engineering

This time it was Gen. Wesley K. Clark, the latest entry into the Democratic presidential race, speaking at a brief and sparsely attended antirecall rally.

The New York Times

"In the winter," Mr. Morrison said, speaking softly in the huge and sparsely peopled space, "Kent is... well, Kent.

The New York Times

I was recently speaking to a friend who lives in Israel who had turned out for a sparsely attended peace rally.

The New York Times

speaking rate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

speaking style.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The video, taken as Mr. Edelman spoke at a sparsely attended panel discussion at the Aspen Ideas Festival, was uploaded to the Internet.

The New York Times

Brand, who has pancreatic cancer, spoke at a sparsely attended news conference in Ford Field, site of the semifinals Saturday night and the championship game Monday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sparsely speaking" when you want to emphasize that you are providing a simplified or reduced explanation of something. However, be mindful that it's not a common expression and might sound unusual to some audiences.

Common error

Avoid using "sparsely speaking" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more common and conventional phrases like "generally speaking" or "in brief" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparsely speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement to indicate it's being presented in a simplified or reduced manner. Ludwig indicates its usage is not common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sparsely speaking" is grammatically acceptable but not frequently used. Ludwig identifies it as an adverbial phrase indicating a simplified explanation. While it appears in news and scientific contexts, its uncommon nature suggests caution in formal settings. Consider alternatives like "briefly speaking" or "generally speaking" for broader clarity. The rarity of "sparsely speaking" makes it essential to use it judiciously and ensure the audience understands the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparingly speaking

Emphasizes being economical or restrained in speech.

briefly speaking

Focuses on the brevity of the communication.

generally speaking

Shifts the focus to making a broad generalization.

loosely speaking

Suggests a less precise or rigorous way of speaking.

minimally speaking

Highlights speaking in the most reduced or essential terms.

hardly speaking

Implies very little or almost no speaking at all.

scarcely speaking

Similar to 'hardly speaking', suggesting a minimal amount of speaking.

roughly speaking

Indicates an approximate or inexact manner of speaking.

superficially speaking

Refers to speaking only on the surface level, without depth.

narrowly speaking

Implies a focused or restricted scope of speech.

FAQs

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

You can use "sparsely speaking" to indicate that you are providing a simplified or concise explanation. For example: "Sparsely speaking, the presentation lacked depth and detail, leaving the audience wanting more information."

What are some alternatives to "sparsely speaking"?

Alternatives include "briefly speaking", "generally speaking", or "in a nutshell depending on the context".

Is "sparsely speaking" grammatically correct?

While not a standard or common phrase, "sparsely speaking" is grammatically acceptable. However, its uncommon usage may make it sound unusual to some.

When is it appropriate to use "sparsely speaking"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that you are providing a simplified or reduced explanation, but be aware that its uncommon usage might not be suitable for all audiences or formal contexts. Consider more common alternatives for broader clarity.