a rare example of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rare example of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to highlight something that is uncommon or unique within a certain context or category. Example: "This painting is a rare example of the artist's early work, showcasing techniques that were later abandoned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a rare example of the phrase actually working.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a rare example of Maxwell wisdom.

The Guardian

A rare example of the "inspirational" book that actually is.

The Guardian - Books

It was a rare example of a striking Lansley soundbite.

The Guardian

It was a rare example of pure, not manufactured, virality.

The Guardian

Yeah, right (a rare example of two positives making a negative).

The New York Times

But SciClone seems to be a rare example of a company that has increased its sales.

The New York Times

(Ms. Shannon is a rare example of one who has built a viable midlevel career).

The New York Times

Hunt said yesterday "A rare example of opposition parties and government working together?

The Guardian - Business

Sen is a rare example of an intellectual who has had a major effect on politics.

The Guardian - Books

The campaign is a rare example of corporate competitors working in close alliance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rare example of" to introduce something noteworthy, especially when contrasting it with more common occurrences. This helps emphasize the uniqueness or value of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a rare example of" for situations that are only slightly uncommon. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional or infrequent instances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rare example of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces and characterizes a specific instance as being infrequent or unique. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically correct and widely applicable across various domains. It is often used to emphasize the special nature of the subsequent subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rare example of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to highlight the exceptional or infrequent nature of a specific instance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While suitable for various registers, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for truly unique cases to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "an unusual instance of" or "a unique illustration of" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an infrequent instance of

Replaces "rare" with "infrequent", emphasizing the low occurrence rate.

an uncommon case of

Substitutes "rare" with "uncommon", suggesting a less frequent occurrence than the norm.

an exceptional demonstration of

Replaces "rare" with "exceptional", highlighting the outstanding quality of the example.

a unique illustration of

Uses "unique" instead of "rare", focusing on the distinctiveness of the example.

a noteworthy manifestation of

Emphasizes the significance of the example by using "noteworthy".

a singular occurrence of

Highlights the isolated nature of the event using "singular".

a scarce depiction of

Replaces "rare" with "scarce", emphasizing the limited availability of similar examples.

an isolated incident of

Focuses on the lack of similar events by using "isolated".

an atypical display of

Highlights the unusual nature of the example by using "atypical".

a once-in-a-lifetime instance of

Dramatically emphasizes the infrequency using the idiom "once-in-a-lifetime".

FAQs

How can I use "a rare example of" in a sentence?

Use "a rare example of" to introduce a case that is uncommon or unique, setting it apart from typical occurrences. For instance, "This painting is "a rare example of" the artist's early style".

What are some alternatives to "a rare example of"?

You can use alternatives like "an unusual instance of", "an uncommon case of", or "a unique illustration of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a rare example for" instead of "a rare example of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "example" in this context is "of". "A rare example for" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a rare example of" and "an exception to"?

"A rare example of" highlights something uncommon within a category, while "an exception to" indicates something that deviates from a general rule or expectation.