as uncommon as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as uncommon as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the rarity of one thing to another, emphasizing that both are rare. Example: "Finding a four-leaf clover is as uncommon as spotting a shooting star."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Any two models have some common as well as uncommon parameters.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

Depending on where you live, this is not as uncommon a problem as it might seem.

Vice

Before the 12th century, castles were as uncommon in Denmark as they had been in England before the Norman Conquest.

Wikipedia

Coal outcroppings were not uncommon; as recently as 1936 members of the public were seen carrying away large pieces of coal from a seam revealed by the landslip caused when the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal breached at Ladyshore.

Wikipedia

It's alienating when you hate a movie that everyone else loves, but it's not as uncommon or, for that matter, contrarian, as you might think.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as uncommon as" to draw a comparison between two infrequent occurrences, adding emphasis to the rarity of both. For example: "Finding a genuine antique in a flea market is "as uncommon as" winning the lottery."

Common error

Avoid using "as uncommon as" when you intend to describe something that is simply uncommon without drawing a direct comparison. Instead of saying "The mistake was as uncommon as," consider "The mistake was quite uncommon" if you're not comparing it to something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as uncommon as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare the degree of infrequency or rarity between two subjects or situations. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as uncommon as" serves as a comparative tool to highlight the rarity of an event or object by likening it to something else equally infrequent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While "as uncommon as" is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific discussions, it maintains a neutral tone. It is crucial to use this phrase when drawing a direct comparison, and avoid it when simply stating that something is uncommon. For alternatives, you can consider phrases such as "as rare as" or "not as common as", keeping in mind their subtle differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as rare as

Emphasizes rarity more directly.

not as common as

Focuses on the lack of commonness.

as infrequent as

Highlights the lack of frequency.

as unusual as

Stresses the atypical nature.

comparatively scarce

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes scarcity.

relatively uncommon

Adds a degree of relativity to the infrequency.

less prevalent than

Indicates a lower degree of prevalence.

not as widespread as

Emphasizes limited distribution or occurrence.

as exceptional as

Highlights the extraordinary nature of the rarity.

distinctly infrequent

Emphasizes the clear lack of frequency.

FAQs

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

Use "as uncommon as" to compare the infrequency of two things. For example, "Seeing a solar eclipse is "as uncommon as" finding a four-leaf clover."

What are some alternatives to "as uncommon as"?

You can use phrases like "as rare as", "not as common as", or "as infrequent as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "as uncommon as" and "as rare as"?

While both phrases express rarity, "as rare as" generally implies a higher degree of infrequency than "as uncommon as". "As uncommon as" suggests something is not frequently encountered, while "as rare as" indicates it is very sparsely found.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "as uncommon as"?

Avoid using "as uncommon as" when you are not making a direct comparison. If you simply want to state that something is infrequent, use alternatives like "uncommon", "rare", or "infrequent" instead.