I rarely ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I rarely ever" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It is often used to emphasize the infrequency of an action or occurrence. Example: "I rarely ever eat fast food, but I couldn't resist treating myself to a burger and fries today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"I never hear my playing partner's clubs rattling, and I rarely ever hear the gallery applauding.

The New York Times - Sports

Andy I rarely ever agree with Mayor Bloomberg, but I'm behind him on this one.

The New York Times

That was seven years ago and, though I rarely ever looked at those photographs, I always knew they were there as a reminder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I rarely ever used room service myself, and certainly not in New York, where decent food is never more than a block or two away," writes Kevin Drum, celebrating the Hilton's decision.Fifty-five people will lose their jobs when the Hilton stops its room service, and some business travellers will avoid the hotel because it doesn't offer the amenity.

The Economist

"My fastball was cutting and sinking, and it was really hard to control," said Pettitte, who did not walk a batter and struck out six. "I was really, for the most part, focusing on the middle of the plate, which I rarely ever do.

The New York Times - Sports

I rarely ever think that.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

As a woman of color, I am rarely ever put in a situation where my privilege is challenged, and yet, I can recognize the danger in shutting people's opinions simply because of their identity.

Huffington Post

I have rarely ever started a job where my initial and overwhelming sense isn't that I'm in the wrong profession and I can't act.

The Guardian

I have rarely ever in my life been at a more joyful event.

The Guardian

I was rarely ever just being, just feeling.

Huffington Post

I don't always say what I want and I rarely, if ever, act on something entirely for myself without great deliberation, shame, and resentment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis to the statement, you may use the phrase "I rarely, if ever...". This emphasizes that the action almost never happens.

Common error

While "I rarely ever" is acceptable, overuse of intensifiers like 'ever' can weaken your writing. Consider alternatives like "I rarely" or "I seldom" for a more concise and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I rarely ever" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency with which an action occurs, specifically that the action happens infrequently. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts to express personal habits or experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Huffington Post

13%

TechCrunch

9%

Less common in

The Guardian

2%

The New Yorker

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I rarely ever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the infrequency of an action. While some may view the 'ever' as redundant, it adds emphasis and is widely accepted. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in news, media, and personal narratives. Consider using alternative phrases like "I seldom ever" or "I hardly ever" for variety, or "I rarely" for conciseness. Pay attention to context and audience when making this choice to convey your meaning most effectively. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly valid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I seldom ever

Replaces 'rarely' with 'seldom', offering a slightly more formal alternative while retaining the 'ever' for emphasis.

I rarely if ever

Replaces 'ever' with 'if ever', providing a slightly more cautious or conditional tone.

I hardly ever

Substitutes 'rarely' with 'hardly', implying a similar low frequency but with a slightly different nuance.

I scarcely ever

Uses 'scarcely' instead of 'rarely', suggesting a minimal occurrence or experience.

I infrequently ever

Replaces 'rarely' with 'infrequently', providing a more formal synonym.

I almost never

Offers a more direct alternative, replacing 'rarely' and 'ever' with 'almost never'.

I very rarely

Inverts the structure to emphasize the rarity using 'very rarely'.

It's rare that I ever

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the rarity from an impersonal perspective.

I don't often ever

Uses a negative construction ('don't often') to convey a similar meaning of infrequent occurrence.

I only occasionally

Expresses the idea of something happening just sometimes.

FAQs

What does "I rarely ever" mean?

The phrase "I rarely ever" means that something happens very infrequently. It's used to express that an action or event almost never occurs.

Is "I rarely ever" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I rarely ever" is grammatically correct. While some consider the 'ever' redundant, it is commonly used for emphasis and is widely accepted in spoken and written English, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What are some alternatives to "I rarely ever"?

You can use alternatives such as "I seldom ever", "I hardly ever", or "I rarely if ever" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is more formal, "I rarely ever" or "I rarely"?

"I rarely" is generally considered more formal and concise. "I rarely ever" adds emphasis but can sometimes sound redundant. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "I seldom ever" or simply "I seldom".