a rather rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather rare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is uncommon or not frequently encountered. Example: "The museum showcased a rather rare collection of ancient artifacts that fascinated all the visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That makes his an interesting voice if still a rather rare one in Brussels.

The Economist

Except maybe for constructors: it follows that it's a rather rare event to get one published.

The New York Times

But Pinewood is a rather rare beast: a trophy asset that actually makes money.

Independent

Her Waterbury rally, in the city's decrepit downtown, was a rather rare public speaking event.

The New York Times

I've read The Sea Plays and The Emperor Jones by O'Neill (it's a rather rare edition, by Frassinelli in Turin).

The New Yorker

"That second over did take the pressure off a bit," Cook said with a rather rare smile.

The Guardian - Sport

I was appraising a rather rare and valuable menu that had survived the sinking of the Titanic.

The New York Times

The term "externality" has been introduced into eonomic theory to describe what once appeared to be a rather rare departure from the basic exchange of goods &/or services process.

The New Yorker

But whatever it means, it is a rather rare gift, and I believe it has a positive effect on the creative capacities of New Yorkers -- for creation is in part merely the business of forgoing the great and small distractions".

The New York Times

Perhaps surprisingly, Stegosaurus is a rather rare dinosaur and has not received vast amounts of detailed attention, so the new skeleton was an exciting opportunity to bring our knowledge of its anatomy and biology bang up to date.

The Guardian

I often devoted these "drug holidays" to romantic daydreaming, but one Friday, in February of 1967, while I was exploring the rare-book section of the medical library, I found and took out a rather rare book on migraine entitled "On Megrim, Sick-Headache, and Some Allied Disorders: A Contribution to the Pathology of Nerve-Storms," written, in 1873, by one Edward Liveing, M.D.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather rare" to add a touch of understatement or sophistication when describing something uncommon, making your writing sound more nuanced.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather rare" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing. Overuse can make your speech sound affected or pretentious. Choose simpler alternatives like "uncommon" or "unusual" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather rare" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, adding descriptive detail to a noun. It qualifies the noun by indicating that it is uncommon or infrequent. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather rare" is a pre-modifying adjective phrase used to describe something uncommon, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and sees frequent usage in both news and scientific contexts, lending a slightly formal tone. While simple substitutions exist, it adds a specific flavor of understatement when chosen. As a tip, overuse might sound pretentious; as such, be aware of your audience when including the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relatively rare

Replaces "rather" with "relatively", indicating a slightly more objective assessment of rarity.

a quite rare

Substitutes "rather" with "quite", offering a slightly stronger emphasis on the rarity.

a very rare

Uses "very" instead of "rather" to intensify the degree of rarity.

a fairly rare

Employs "fairly" as a substitute for "rather", suggesting a moderate degree of rarity.

a somewhat rare

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a slight or partial degree of rarity.

an infrequent

Replaces "rare" with "infrequent", focusing on the lack of frequency rather than inherent rarity.

an uncommon

Substitutes "rare" with "uncommon", highlighting the unusual nature of something.

a scarce

Employs "scarce" instead of "rare", suggesting a limited availability or supply.

a distinctive rarity

Replaces "rather rare" with a noun phrase emphasizing uniqueness and infrequency.

an exceptional find

Uses the term "exceptional find" referring to the quality of being unusual.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather rare" to describe something that is not commonly found or experienced. For example, "Finding a genuine antique in such good condition is "a rather rare" occurrence."

What phrases are similar to "a rather rare"?

Alternatives to "a rather rare" include "a relatively rare", "a quite rare", or "an uncommon" occurrence. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a rare" or "a rather rare"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a rather rare" adds a degree of emphasis or understatement. Use "a rare" for a straightforward statement and "a rather rare" when you want to soften or subtly highlight the rarity.

In what situations should I avoid using "a rather rare"?

While grammatically correct, "a rather rare" might sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "unusual" or "not very common" in informal conversations.