although rare

USAGE SUMMARY

"although rare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is not common or typical, even though it does in fact happen. For example: "Although rare, it is possible for some species of birds to migrate annually over a distance of 10,000 miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although rare, this incident is not unique.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although rare, HPS is fatal in 38% of cases.

The Guardian

Duels between women, although rare, have been recorded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It turns out that although rare earths are crucial, they are used in comparatively minuscule amounts.

The New Yorker

Although rare today, this also happened in medieval times in mixed-gender religious communities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although rare, two people in Puerto Rico die each year in this way".

The Guardian

Although rare, the reduction is not particularly large, given the magnitude of Detroit's problems.

The New York Times

Regeneration, although rare in the parasitic worms in general, does occur in the cestodes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although rare, these lesions have characteristic imaging features.

Insights into Imaging

Although rare, data center facility failures do happen.

Forbes

Although rare, isolated uveal tuberculoma masquerading as intraocular tumors are a well-know situation [1 8].

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "although rare" to acknowledge that something is not typical while still relevant or possible. It softens the impact of a statement by admitting its infrequency.

Common error

Avoid using "although rare" when something is impossible or non-existent. The phrase implies the event can happen, just not often.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although rare" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating that the statement is true even though the situation is not common. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "although rare" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce a fact or situation that is not common but still relevant. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively qualifies a statement by acknowledging its infrequency without negating its possibility. It is prevalent in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Related phrases like "even though uncommon" and "despite being infrequent" can provide alternatives depending on the desired nuance. When using "although rare", ensure that the situation described is indeed possible, if uncommon, to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though uncommon

Replaces "rare" with "uncommon", a direct synonym, preserving the meaning.

despite being infrequent

Uses "infrequent" to describe the low occurrence, slightly more formal.

even if scarce

Employs "scarce" to denote limited availability or occurrence.

though it's not common

Breaks down the phrase into a more explicit statement about commonality.

while unusual

Substitutes "rare" with "unusual", suggesting deviation from the norm.

albeit infrequent

"Albeit" adds a touch of formality while retaining the core meaning.

notwithstanding its rarity

A more formal way of expressing the same idea, emphasizing the rarity itself.

in spite of its infrequency

Similar to "notwithstanding", but uses "infrequency" for emphasis.

though exceptional

Indicates something is an exception, aligning with the concept of rarity.

even when limited

Highlights the limited occurrence or availability, implying rarity.

FAQs

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

Use "although rare" to introduce a situation or event that is not common but can occur. For example, "Although rare, complications may arise during the procedure."

What are some synonyms for "although rare"?

Alternatives include "even though uncommon", "despite being infrequent", or "even if scarce". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "although rarely" instead of "although rare"?

While "although rarely" is grammatically correct, "although rare" is more common when referring to the infrequency of something. "Although rarely" typically modifies a verb, describing how often an action occurs.

What's the difference between "although rare" and "uncommon"?

"Uncommon" simply means not frequently encountered. "Although rare" acknowledges the infrequency while often setting up a contrast or qualification to the statement that follows.