What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scatteringly
Example
The stars were scattered across the sky, glittering like diamonds. [scatteringly: adverb]
Example
The flowers were scattered around the garden, giving it a wild and natural look. [scattered: adjective]
sparsely
Example
The town was sparsely populated, with only a few houses scattered here and there. [sparsely: adverb]
Example
The trees in the desert were sparsely spaced, struggling to survive in the harsh environment. [sparsely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sparsely is more commonly used than scatteringly in everyday language. Sparsely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scatteringly is less common and may be considered more literary or artistic in tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scatteringly and sparsely?
While sparsely can be used in both formal and informal contexts, scatteringly is typically associated with a more informal or poetic tone and may be less appropriate for formal writing or speech.