become rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become rare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is increasingly difficult to find or encounter over time. Example: "As technology advances, traditional skills like blacksmithing are starting to become rare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The generalist has become rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protesters had become rare.

The Guardian

But at least violence has become rare.

The Economist

Calls to prayer have become rare, too.

The Economist

Corruption did indeed become rare in Singapore.

The Economist

Abundant species become rare, and vice versa.

The New York Times - Science

The fisher and wolverine have become rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Safe crossroads have become rare in Diyala.

The New York Times

Sadly, such happy endings have become rare.

The Guardian

In some states, Paul Sullivan's fate will become rare.

The New Yorker

Yet strikes, even taking in falling membership, have become rare.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become rare" to describe a trend or shift over time, indicating that something is progressively less common due to specific factors. Provide context to explain why the subject is dwindling. For instance, 'Due to technological advancements, handwritten letters have "become rare"'.

Common error

Don't use "become rare" as a vague descriptor. Instead, provide specific reasons or examples to illustrate the decline. Saying 'Kindness has "become rare"' is less effective than 'Acts of spontaneous kindness have "become rare" in urban environments due to increased social isolation'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become rare" functions as a predicate describing a state that a noun or concept is entering. It indicates a transition towards scarcity or uncommonness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become rare" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that is decreasing in frequency or availability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, providing specific context helps strengthen the message, explaining why the subject is dwindling. While "become rare" is suitable for many situations, consider using alternatives like "grow scarce" or "diminish in frequency" for different tones or contexts. Be mindful of overusing the phrase without specific examples, as this can weaken its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow uncommon

Indicates that something is no longer frequently encountered.

become infrequent

Similar to 'grow uncommon', it stresses the increasing intervals between occurrences.

grow scarce

Emphasizes the increasing difficulty in finding something, focusing on the shortage.

decline in prevalence

Highlights a reduction in how widespread or common something is.

diminish in frequency

Highlights the reduced rate at which something occurs, making it less common.

dwindle in occurrence

Focuses on the decreasing number of times something happens, suggesting a gradual decline.

becoming a rarity

Changes the structure to emphasize the state of being unusual or exceptional.

fall into disuse

Suggests something is no longer being used or practiced, leading to its reduced presence.

fade into obscurity

Implies a gradual loss of visibility or recognition, making something less noticeable.

lose currency

Indicates a loss of relevance or popularity, leading to its decreased use or presence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "become rare" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "grow scarce", "diminish in frequency", or "decline in prevalence". These options provide a more sophisticated and precise way to express the idea of something becoming less common.

Is it correct to say "is becoming rare" instead of "become rare"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Become rare" describes a general trend or a completed shift, while "is becoming rare" describes an ongoing process. For example, "Polar bear sightings have "become rare" in certain Arctic regions" suggests a state, while "Polar bear sightings "are becoming rare" due to climate change" indicates a continuing change.

What's the difference between "become rare" and "become extinct"?

"Become rare" indicates that something is decreasing in frequency or abundance but still exists. "Become extinct", on the other hand, means that something no longer exists at all. A species might "become rare" before eventually "becoming extinct".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "become rare"?

The phrase "become rare" is suitable when describing a trend where something is progressively less common over time. This could apply to skills, species, phenomena, or even social behaviors. Ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of why the subject is diminishing. For example: 'Due to increased automation, skilled craftsmanship has "become rare" in modern manufacturing'.