as uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the rarity of something to another item or situation. Example: "The occurrence of this phenomenon is as uncommon as finding a four-leaf clover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well it's not as uncommon as you'd think.

The Guardian

"I never thought of it as uncommon," says Korine.

The Guardian - Film

It's not as uncommon as you might think.

Independent

This is my reality, and it isn't as uncommon as you might think.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buy from Amazon.co.ukMANY of Louisa Waugh's tales are as uncommon as her book promises.

The Economist

Still, I don't think lack of sex life between married couples is as uncommon as people think.

The New York Times

In America, Aldridge's private life would have been as uncommon as his public one, and far more dangerous.

The New Yorker

Major contributors were the four Nasdaq stocks that Lehman Brothers selected as "uncommon values" that would outperform the broad market over the next 12 months.

The New York Times

There was fabricated evidence, coerced testimony and a generally slipshod trial -- all things that legal experts say are not as uncommon as they ought to be here.

The New York Times

The novel may assure us that lycan assaults are "as uncommon as shark attacks," but only because the potential perpetrators are medically benumbed.

The New York Times - Books

"These Ferraris are bought for tours like this; failing to insure them is not as uncommon as you might think," said McKeel Hagerty, chief executive of Hagerty Insurance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as uncommon" to subtly convey that something is less frequent than expected, adding nuance to your description without sounding overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "as uncommon" when describing something that is truly exceptional or unique; in such cases, stronger terms like "rare" or "unique" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as uncommon" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically used to indicate that something is not as rare or infrequent as one might expect. It serves to adjust perceptions of frequency. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as uncommon" is grammatically sound and functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to convey that something isn't as rare as one might initially believe. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by examples from diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and wikis. While not overly formal, it effectively adjusts perceptions of frequency, and Ludwig provides helpful tips for its best use and potential pitfalls. Overall, the phrase is more versatile than initially considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not so common

Expresses a slightly less formal tone, implying something isn't very frequent.

Relatively infrequent

Indicates that something does not occur very often compared to other things.

Comparatively rare

Emphasizes the scarcity of something in comparison to other items.

Less widespread

Focuses on the limited distribution or prevalence of something.

Somewhat unusual

Highlights the atypical nature of something, making it stand out from the norm.

Moderately scarce

Implies that something exists in limited quantities or occurrences.

Not entirely typical

Suggests that something deviates from what is generally expected or standard.

Slightly exceptional

Indicates that something is a bit out of the ordinary, but not extremely so.

Marginally infrequent

Emphasizes that something is just barely not frequent.

Rather limited

Focuses on the restricted extent or amount of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "as uncommon" to compare the infrequency of something to a known standard. For instance, "Discovering a long-lost sibling isn't "as uncommon as you might think"".

What are some alternatives to "as uncommon"?

Alternatives include phrases like "relatively infrequent", "comparatively rare", or "not so common", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to say "as uncommon" or "uncommon"?

"As uncommon" is used for comparisons, while "uncommon" simply describes something that isn't typical. For example, "The event was uncommon" versus "The event was "as uncommon as a blue moon"".

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

"Rare" implies a higher degree of infrequency than "as uncommon". Something that is "rare" is exceptional, whereas something that is "as uncommon" is merely less frequent than average. You could say "This gem is "as uncommon as finding gold"" while gold itself is considered rare.