a rare problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rare problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an issue or situation that does not occur frequently or is uncommon. Example: "We encountered a rare problem during the software update that required immediate attention from the technical team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But this is a rare problem, Dr. Jacobs emphasized.

The New York Times - Science

This is probably a rare problem and most programs should now deal with it.

University of California, Berkeley

Nate, the oldest son, now has a brain that could literally explode because of a rare problem with an artery.

The New York Times

A. Luckily this is a rare problem; it comes from certain kinds of very common funguses that may be inhaled or swallowed by almost anyone anywhere.

The New York Times - Science

Six years after the sale offer, no one has claimed the ring, and now law enforcement officials have a rare problem on their hands: how to return it to its rightful owner.

The New York Times

It is the first of about 900 state and federal cases pending against Merck in which plaintiffs claim that taking Fosamax caused them to develop a rare problem called osteonecrosis of the jaw.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He told me that I'd had a placental abruption, a very rare problem that, I later read, usually befalls women who are heavy cocaine users or who have high blood pressure.

The New Yorker

It's a clever solution to a fairly rare problem and could reduce the pain of missing every note of that Santana guitar solo or Allan Sherman bike horn honk.

TechCrunch

Bedbugs are a relatively rare problem in the hotel industry, but they can be an embarrassment when a guest wakes up with bites and rashes from the creatures.

Los Angeles Times

Critics have claimed that such legislation is a hysterical reaction to an incredibly rare problem that would end up denying thousands of eligible Americans the right to vote.

Huffington Post

Yet the Food and Drug Administration considers olive-oil fraud a relatively rare problem and does not routinely test oils for adulteration.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rare problem" to introduce a subject and prepare the audience for more information about it, instead of surprising them.

Common error

Avoid using "a rare problem" when the issue is merely uncommon or infrequent. Overstating the rarity can undermine credibility if the audience perceives the problem as more prevalent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rare problem" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "rare" modifies the noun "problem". It describes a situation or issue that is not commonly encountered. As Ludwig AI explains, this makes it "correct and usable in written English".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rare problem" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an infrequent or uncommon issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness across different contexts. While not as frequent as other similar phrases, it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Related alternatives include "an uncommon issue" and "an isolated problem". When using this phrase, ensure the rarity is accurate to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an uncommon issue

Replaces 'rare' with 'uncommon', indicating something not frequently encountered.

an infrequent problem

Substitutes 'rare' with 'infrequent', suggesting a lack of regularity.

a scarce problem

Uses 'scarce' instead of 'rare', emphasizing limited availability or presence.

an isolated problem

Focuses on the problem being unique and not widespread.

an unusual difficulty

Replaces 'rare problem' with a more general description of an uncommon challenge.

an exceptional problem

Highlights the problem as being out of the ordinary and noteworthy.

a peculiar issue

Indicates the problem is strange or odd, in addition to being rare.

a singular problem

Emphasizes the problem's uniqueness and lack of similarity to others.

an atypical problem

Indicates that the problem does not conform to the usual type.

a one-off problem

This phrase highlights that the problem is unlikely to reoccur.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rare problem" to describe something uncommon or infrequent. For example, "Device failure, while "a rare problem", could be life-threatening".

What's a good alternative to "a rare problem"?

Alternatives include "an uncommon issue", "an infrequent problem", or "an isolated problem", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "a rare problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "a rare problem" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when accuracy and clarity are important. It's a straightforward way to describe an infrequent issue.

What makes a problem "rare"?

A problem is considered "rare" when it occurs infrequently or is not commonly encountered. The threshold for 'rare' can depend on the context, but it generally implies a low probability of occurrence.