Though rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Though rare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that acknowledges the infrequency of a situation or occurrence. Example: "Though rare, some species of birds can be found in this region during the winter months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though rare, he is not alone.

The New York Times

Though rare, there are veterinarians trained in forensics.

Cornell University

Though rare, more serious side effects have been reported.

The New York Times

Though rare, such tragedies are increasingly common in America.

The Economist

Though rare, why does this happen at all?

The New York Times - Health

Though rare, false negatives also can occur and have proved tragic.

The New York Times - Science

Though rare, previous American politicians have looked abroad for help with votes at home.

The New York Times

Though rare, there have been previous cases of stowaways plunging to their deaths in west London.

The Guardian

Though rare, such problems can be overcome with basic knowledge of bike maintenance.

The Economist

Though rare, they may be locally common on seabeds throughout the oceans of the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though rare on the modern table, it is proof that the best is yet to come.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Though rare" to introduce a statement that acknowledges the uncommon nature of an event or situation before presenting further information or context. This can add nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "Though rare" when you intend to emphasize the significance of a frequent occurrence. The phrase is best suited for highlighting exceptions or unusual instances, not common phenomena.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Though rare" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase, modifying the main clause of a sentence by providing a qualification regarding the frequency of the event or condition being discussed. Ludwig indicates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Though rare" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce information by acknowledging its infrequency. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase and is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "although uncommon" exist, "Though rare" effectively communicates a concessive relationship, enhancing precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Although uncommon

Replaces "though" with "although" and "rare" with "uncommon", altering the specific wording while retaining the core meaning of infrequency.

Even if infrequent

Emphasizes the condition of being not frequent, using "even if" to highlight the concessive nature of the statement.

While not common

Replaces "though" with "while" and "rare" with "not common", providing a slightly different construction to express rarity.

Seldom

A single-word adverb conveying infrequency, offering a more concise alternative.

Infrequently

Adverb form of infrequent, emphasizing that something does not happen often.

On the rare occasion

Highlights that it happens only in the occasional and special cases.

It is unusual

It's focused on an event that is not usual.

Atypical

A single word used as an adjective to define when a certain event is away from normal.

Hardly ever

An idiomatic expression indicating something happens very infrequently.

Not often

Simply states that something does not occur frequently.

FAQs

How can I use "Though rare" in a sentence?

"Though rare" is typically used to introduce a fact that is not common but still relevant to the discussion. For example: "Though rare, side effects can occur".

What are some alternatives to "Though rare"?

You can use alternatives like "although uncommon", "even if infrequent", or "while not common" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "Though rare" or "Although rare"?

Both "Though rare" and "Although rare" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "Though rare" and "In rare cases"?

"Though rare" introduces a concessive clause acknowledging the infrequency of something, whereas "In rare cases" directly indicates that something occurs only in a limited number of instances. The former sets up a contrast, while the latter simply states a fact about frequency.