are not very common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not very common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently encountered or observed. Example: "These types of plants are not very common in this region, making them quite special to find."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Comets like ISON are not very common.

The Economist

"Scandinavians are not very common in American concert halls, but it is approachable music," Mr. Jarvi said in an interview.

The New York Times

But sustainability assessments including exergy calculations, are not very common and are not generally applicable to all types of impact.

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

Semi-enclosed basins are not very common features in the world and are most frequently the result of tectonic movements.

Marine Geology

Herbivorous nekton are not very common, although a few nearshore and shallow-water species subsist by grazing on plants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The diseases that cord blood treats are not very common, so the chances of any given child developing them are low — but worldwide they affect millions of children.

Harvard University

As my colleague Elizabeth Page-Gould notes, cross-race friendships are not very common in the United States (see in particular Figure 1 in that page).

University of California, Berkeley

"Miracles are not very common here," he said flatly, twice, because I made him answer twice, unable to believe he didn't have a peppy reply.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clashes of personality, encounters of a dramatic and revelatory kind, are not very common in these stories, though they are convincing and memorable when they occur.

The New York Times - Books

Nevertheless, studies with long time series or large sample sizes are not very common for diffuse-porous tree species due to the laborious sample preparation and image analysis.

Dendrochronologia

Widely distributed throughout Europe and parts of Asia, the mushroom is fairly innocuous and has been mistaken for edible varieties, though poisonings are not very common.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not very common", consider the audience and context. For formal or scientific writing, more precise language might be preferable. For general conversation, it is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

While the phrase "are not very common" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse in academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms such as "rare", "infrequent", or "scarce" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not very common" primarily functions as a descriptive qualifier. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the subject is infrequent or rare. Ludwig shows numerous examples in various contexts, supporting its role as a general descriptor of low occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not very common" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something is infrequent or rare. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its prevalent usage across diverse contexts, especially in scientific and news-related content. While perfectly acceptable in general writing, more precise synonyms like "rare", "infrequent", or "scarce" are often preferred in formal or academic settings. Consider the audience and context to determine the most appropriate language. While this phrase is acceptable, be mindful of overuse, and don't hesitate to use different words with same meaning depending on context and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are relatively uncommon

Replaces "very" with "relatively", softening the statement slightly.

are somewhat rare

Uses "somewhat rare" to convey a slightly higher degree of infrequency than "not very common".

are not frequently observed

Focuses on the lack of observation, suitable for scientific or objective contexts.

are infrequently encountered

Highlights the low probability of encountering something.

are few and far between

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the scarcity and separation of occurrences.

are thin on the ground

British idiom meaning scarce or hard to find.

are like hen's teeth

Idiomatic expression meaning extremely rare or non-existent.

are notable for their scarcity

Emphasizes that the main feature of something is its low frequency.

are atypical

Suggests a departure from the norm, implying infrequency.

do not abound

More formal way to say that something is not plentiful.

FAQs

How can I use "are not very common" in a sentence?

You can use "are not very common" to describe something that occurs infrequently. For example, "Solar eclipses "are not very common" in this region."

What can I say instead of "are not very common"?

You can use alternatives such as "are relatively uncommon", "are somewhat rare", or "are infrequently encountered depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are not very common" or "are rare"?

While both are correct, "are rare" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Are not very common" might be suitable in more casual conversation.

What's the difference between "are not very common" and "are unusual"?

"Are not very common" emphasizes the infrequency of something, while "are unusual" highlights that something deviates from the norm. Something can be uncommon without being particularly unusual, and vice versa.