Few and far between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'few and far between' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is uncommon or infrequent. For example: The good restaurants in this area are few and far between.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few, and far between.

Los Angeles Times

But those were few and far between.

The New Yorker

The hospitals are few and far between".

Independent

Upheld protests are few and far between.

The New York Times

Manicured fields were few and far between.

The New York Times - Sports

Chances were few and far between.

Independent

"They are few and far between".

The New York Times

Exams are few and far between.

The Economist

Bridge marathons are few and far between.

The New York Times

Days of rest few and far between.

The New York Times

Budget hotels are few and far between.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Few and far between" to emphasize the rarity or infrequency of something, rather than just stating it is uncommon. It adds a more vivid and descriptive quality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "Few and far between" when describing something that is merely scarce. The phrase implies not only scarcity but also a sense of significant intervals between occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Few and far between" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its infrequency or rarity. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it qualifies various nouns, such as "opportunities", "chances", and "days of rest".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "Few and far between" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe something that is rare or infrequent. As per Ludwig, its primary function is to emphasize scarcity with significant intervals between occurrences. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. If you're looking for alternatives, consider "infrequent" or "rarely occurring". Remember to use it when you want to highlight not just scarcity, but also the considerable time or distance separating occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not common

Simple and direct way of stating the lack of commonality.

Occasional

Suggests that something happens only once in a while.

Infrequent

Single word alternative meaning something that does not occur often.

Unusual

Indicates a deviation from the norm.

Rarely occurring

Highlights the uncommon nature of the occurrence.

Seldom seen

Emphasizes the lack of visual or experiential encounters.

Thinly scattered

Implies a sparse distribution in space or time.

Hard to come by

Highlights the difficulty in finding or obtaining something.

Far from ubiquitous

Emphasizes the opposite of being widespread or commonly found.

Like hen's teeth

An idiomatic expression meaning extremely rare.

FAQs

How can I use "Few and far between" in a sentence?

Use "Few and far between" to describe something that occurs rarely or is not common. For example, "Opportunities like this are few and far between."

What does "Few and far between" mean?

The idiom "Few and far between" means that something is rare or infrequent. It suggests that there are not many instances of something, and they do not happen often.

What can I say instead of "Few and far between"?

You can use alternatives such as "infrequent", "rarely occurring", or "not common" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "Few and far between" in formal writing?

Yes, "Few and far between" is acceptable in both formal and informal writing. While it is an idiom, it's commonly understood and doesn't come across as overly colloquial.