I could rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I could rarely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express infrequency in the context of an action or event that one is able to do. Example: "I could rarely find the time to relax during the busy season at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Talking so fast I could rarely follow, he did seem deranged.

The New Yorker

While I'm heartened that readers want to protect their faces in the sun, until a year or two ago I could rarely deliver on their ideal texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My romantic life was colorful but difficult: I had an affair with a Cuban diplomat in New York, fell in love with an artist in Mexico City and had a relationship with an Iranian actor in Tehran, whom I could rarely get a visa to visit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rose had gone out to California to visit Delmore's brother and returned with two avocados: "I was thrilled that avocados were so easily available in California, for in New York they were a great delicacy and I could rarely afford them".

The New Yorker

Besides the eccentric product names and shiny labels I could rarely tell the difference between two protein powders.

Forbes

Swiping down to close an app was full of stutters and I could rarely get it to work on the first try.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

IEH could rarely be responsive to antiepileptic i.v. administration, as can happen for other type of seizures.  . the psychosocial stigma attached to this disease; the fact that IEH cannot always be detected from the scalp; IEH could rarely be responsive to antiepileptic i.v. administration, as can happen for other type of seizures.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Week after week, I realized my students were great at remembering dates and fun facts, but could rarely tell me why these things were important in the long run.

University of California, Berkeley

When I asked store clerks, bartenders or strangers on the street where to find one, they could rarely say  --  even if there was one within eyesight, on a path they trod daily.

Huffington Post

When Terri could rarely leave the house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Barcelona could rarely escape the pressure, and were swiftly suffocated.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I could rarely", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the infrequency. Providing context helps the reader understand any limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "I could rarely" when "I never could" is more accurate. The phrase implies some possibility, however small, so choose it when there were at least occasional opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I could rarely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating how infrequently an action was possible or performed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and practical applicability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I could rarely" is a grammatically sound way to express the infrequency of an action or event, commonly found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is deemed correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, this construction effectively conveys limitations or infrequent opportunities. Alternative phrases like "I seldom could" or "I hardly ever could" offer similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that there were at least occasional opportunities, however infrequent, as it implies some possibility, and ensure context when describing limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I seldom could

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", indicating a less frequent occurrence.

I hardly ever could

Uses "hardly ever" to emphasize the infrequency of the action.

I could scarcely

Substitutes "rarely" with "scarcely", suggesting a minimal ability or opportunity.

I infrequently could

Employs "infrequently" to denote the action happened at large intervals.

It was uncommon for me to be able to

Uses a more complex structure to express the rarity of being able to do something.

I only occasionally could

Replaces "rarely" with "occasionally", meaning something happens from time to time.

I could count on one hand the times I could

This idiom emphasizes the extreme rarity of the action occurring.

I could not often

Swaps "rarely" with the more direct "not often".

I could on few occasions

Replaces "rarely" with "on few occasions", which implies that some opportunities existed, but they weren't frequent.

It rarely happened that I could

Inverts the structure to emphasize the infrequency from the event's perspective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I could rarely" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "I seldom could", "I infrequently could", or "It was uncommon for me to be able to".

Is there a difference between "I could rarely" and "I could hardly"?

While similar, "I could hardly" often suggests a greater degree of difficulty or near impossibility, whereas "I could rarely" emphasizes infrequency. /s/I+could+hardly

What are some common situations where "I could rarely" is appropriate?

"I could rarely" is fitting when describing past limitations or infrequent opportunities, like "I could rarely find time to read for pleasure" or "I could rarely afford to travel".

Can I use "I could rarely" to describe future events?

While grammatically possible, "I could rarely" is best suited for past or habitual actions. For future scenarios, consider using "I will likely rarely" or "I may rarely" to express probability.