are rarely worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are rarely worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items of clothing or accessories that are not often used or put on. Example: "These vintage shoes are rarely worn, as they are too delicate for everyday use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Wigs and gowns are rarely worn in the supreme court in Westminster these days.

The Guardian

Modern parachutes, however, are nearly always worn on the skydiver's back and are rarely worn on the chest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to Dr. Stephen G. Rice, director of the Jersey Shore Sports Medicine Center in Neptune, N.J., cups are rarely worn in soccer and football, where the players must change direction frequently as they run, as opposed to baseball, where most of the running is in a straight line.

The New York Times

He argues the issue hasn't received much attention in Australia, because uggs are rarely worn in public down under.

BBC

As a result, suits are rarely worn.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Makeup is increasingly common in Pyongyang, though it is rarely worn until after college graduation.

The Guardian

Funerals are no longer elaborately organized, mourning attire is rarely worn, and graveyards are landscaped, thus discreetly removing the earlier memorials of death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Originally established to treat and quarantine sailors, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in the 1960s became little more than a personnel department with uniforms, and even those were rarely worn.

The New York Times

Gloves were rarely worn, being observed only four times in total, and only at one hospital (hospital B). Figure 2 shows that hand hygiene with alcohol-based rub accounted for the vast majority of hand hygiene actions observed: 47 out of 57 observed hand hygiene (81%%).

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

The color yellow is rarely worn once temperatures dip below seventy degrees.

Huffington Post

Prior to the 1970s, gloves were rarely worn, but it is now extremely unusual to see a goalkeeper without gloves.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing fashion trends or specific cultural contexts, use "are rarely worn" to accurately convey the infrequency of particular garments or styles.

Common error

Avoid using "are rarely worn" when "are never worn" or "are almost never worn" might be more accurate. Ensure the descriptor matches the true frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are rarely worn" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the infrequency with which an item (typically clothing or accessories) is used. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are rarely worn" is a grammatically sound and neutrally formal expression used to indicate that certain items, particularly clothing or accessories, are not used frequently. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English, and the examples showcase its presence in diverse contexts such as news articles, encyclopedias, and wikis. The phrase's adverbial nature allows it to modify verbs effectively, conveying a clear message about infrequency. While the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, its use is not limited to a specific domain, making it versatile for various communication needs. Alternatives like "are seldom worn" or "are infrequently worn" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are seldom worn

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning of infrequent use.

are infrequently worn

Substitutes "rarely" with "infrequently", which provides a more formal and precise indication of how uncommonly something is worn.

are uncommonly worn

Uses the term "uncommonly" to specify that the act of wearing is not typical or usual.

are hardly ever worn

Uses "hardly ever" to replace "rarely", emphasizing the near absence of wearing occurrences.

are scarcely worn

Employs "scarcely" instead of "rarely", suggesting that the items are worn only in a few instances or are difficult to find being worn.

are not often worn

Rephrases the expression to a more direct negative form, indicating the lack of frequency in wearing.

are seldom seen being worn

This phrase shifts the focus to the observation of the items being worn, rather than just the act of wearing itself, emphasizing their rarity in public view.

are sporadically worn

Indicates that the items are worn at irregular intervals or only occasionally, varying from the more consistent infrequency implied by "rarely".

are occasionally worn

Suggests the items are worn now and then, less frequent than regularly, but more frequent than "rarely worn".

are few and far between

This is an idiomatic expression that describes instances of wearing as being infrequent or spread out over time.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "are rarely worn"?

It means that the item in question is not worn often, suggesting it is used infrequently or only on special occasions.

What can I say instead of "are rarely worn"?

You can use alternatives like "are seldom worn", "are infrequently worn", or "are not often worn" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is rarely worn" instead of "are rarely worn"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is rarely worn" for singular subjects (e.g., a specific dress) and "are rarely worn" for plural subjects (e.g., vintage shoes).

How does "are rarely worn" compare to "are never worn"?

"Are rarely worn" implies that the item is used sometimes, though not frequently. "Are never worn" indicates that the item is never used at all, showing a stronger degree of disuse.