was sparsely used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sparsely used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was not frequently utilized or employed in a particular context or situation. Example: "The new software feature was sparsely used by the team, indicating a need for better training."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Strikingly, and consistent with other studies, when a reaction occurred, epinephrine was sparsely used.

The New York Times

Malhotra welcomed the trade to Dallas as an opportunity for more playing time, as he was sparsely used with the Rangers.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Mr. Bernanke said some of those programs had so far been sparsely used, and might need bolstering.

The New York Times

“The parking lot is sparsely used at 8 a.m.; likewise at 5 p.m.

Forbes

It was shown that there exists a lot of LCA renewable energy studies, but LCA is sparsely used in energy education.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Serious gaming has a long history in the domain of education and training but has been sparsely used as a research tool; therefore, its effectiveness in this capacity is not readily known.

Procedia Computer Science

Tragically, it's sparsely used, most likely because so few people know about it: on our recent excursion, we noticed that only two other travelers made the full journey with us.

Huffington Post

Applying trajectory analysis which only has previously been sparsely used in this field.

BMJ Open

Variables on activity and participation are sparsely used and addressed only generally [ 8, 12- 16].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Workshop participants concluded that markers of glycaemic exposures are sparsely used in intervention studies among non-diabetic populations.

British Journal of Nutrition

Despite these favourable characteristics, Gifu × L. burttii mapping populations have been sparsely used, probably because they have not been extensively characterized.

DNA Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was sparsely used", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being underutilized and why it matters. Providing specifics strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "was sparsely used" when describing something that is completely unused. The phrase implies some degree of use, however minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sparsely used" functions as a passive construction indicating that something received limited application or utilization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts. The auxiliary verb "was" combined with the adverb "sparsely" and the past participle "used" highlights the underutilization of a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was sparsely used" is a grammatically sound and usable passive construction that describes the limited application or utilization of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from various sources. While not exceedingly common, it frequently appears in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. Alternatives include "was infrequently utilized" or "saw limited application", which may be suitable for more formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being underutilized and the implications thereof.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was infrequently utilized

Replaces 'sparsely' with 'infrequently', emphasizing the low frequency of use.

was seldom employed

Substitutes 'sparsely used' with 'seldom employed', highlighting the rare use.

saw limited application

Shifts from describing the 'use' to the 'application' itself, implying a restriction.

was sparingly applied

Replaces 'sparsely used' with 'sparingly applied', suggesting a cautious or restrained use.

was minimally leveraged

Emphasizes the underutilization of potential benefits.

was scarcely adopted

Focuses on the limited acceptance or integration of something.

remained underutilized

Highlights the untapped potential due to lack of sufficient use.

was rarely implemented

Indicates that the execution or putting into effect was uncommon.

was thinly distributed

Suggests that the 'use' was spread across a wide area, but lightly.

was negligibly exploited

Focuses on the lack of capitalizing or making full use of available resources.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was sparsely used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "was infrequently utilized" or "saw limited application". These options add a level of sophistication suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "was sparsely used" and "was rarely used"?

While both indicate infrequent use, "was sparsely used" emphasizes a minimal amount of use occurred, whereas "was rarely used" simply highlights the infrequency. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the quantity or the frequency.

Is it correct to say "was sparsely used" in passive voice constructions?

Yes, "was sparsely used" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction. It's often employed to describe scenarios where an object, method, or resource didn't see much action. For example, "The emergency exit was sparsely used, which is a good sign."

What are some situations where I might use "was sparsely used"?

You might use "was sparsely used" when describing a feature in software that few people adopted, a medical treatment that wasn't frequently administered, or a historical artifact that "remained underutilized" for research purposes.