What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sparsely
Example
The town was sparsely populated, with only a few houses scattered around. [sparsely: adverb]
Example
The trees were sparsely spaced, allowing plenty of sunlight to filter through. [sparsely: adverb]
scarcely
Example
We could scarcely afford to pay the rent this month. [scarcely: adverb]
Example
There were scarcely any people at the park on a rainy day. [scarcely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scarcely is more commonly used than sparsely in everyday language. Scarcely is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while sparsely is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sparsely and scarcely?
Both sparsely and scarcely are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
