becoming rarer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming rarer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is increasingly difficult to find or less common over time. Example: "As technology advances, traditional skills are becoming rarer in the job market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These hits out of left field, unfortunately, are becoming rarer and rarer as both app stores become more expensive to compete in.

TechCrunch

"But it is becoming rarer and rarer in college to come up with a legitimate big man".

The New York Times - Sports

Here's some good news: True walls are becoming rarer and rarer these days because almost everything you want to do has already been done -- either in theory or in practice.

Huffington Post

"He's highly intellectual, talented, and respectful, and I feel like it's becoming rarer for people to become famous or well known for that these days," says Rachel Gray.

Vice

As the time when Plymouths were displayed in dealership showrooms becomes more distant, the cars, naturally, are becoming rarer.

The New York Times

This is rare and Peston suggested it is becoming rarer because "today's PR industry has become much more machine-like, controlled – and in its slightly chilling way – professional".

The Guardian

But such views are becoming rarer.

The Economist

Clean water and air are becoming rarer.

The Guardian - Film

For Bogarde, interesting film offers from Britain were becoming rarer.

The Guardian

Big-man leaders are becoming rarer, though some authoritarian states survive.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But such industries are becoming rarer even train drivers may soon lose out to computers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming rarer" to describe trends or changes over time, especially when emphasizing a gradual decline. For instance, "Opportunities for traditional apprenticeships are becoming rarer in the modern job market."

Common error

While "more rare" is grammatically acceptable, "rarer" is generally preferred because it's shorter and more concise. Stick to "rarer" for a smoother, more polished writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming rarer" functions as a verb phrase typically used as part of a predicate. It describes a progressive change, indicating that something is decreasing in frequency or availability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becoming rarer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a trend of decreasing frequency or availability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "more rare" is acceptable, "rarer" is generally preferred for conciseness. Remember that the phrase indicates an ongoing process. For alternatives, consider "becoming less common" or "getting scarcer". The phrase's versatility and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming less common

A simpler and more direct way to express the same idea.

getting scarcer

Focuses on the increasing scarcity of something.

growing infrequent

Focuses on the increasing lack of frequency.

decreasing in frequency

Emphasizes the reduction in how often something occurs.

diminishing in prevalence

Highlights the decline in how widespread something is.

on the decline

A more general phrase indicating a downward trend.

in decline

Similar to "on the decline", but more concise.

fading away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or reduction.

on the wane

Implies a reduction in power, influence, or extent.

thinning out

Suggests a reduction in density or number.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming rarer" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming rarer" to describe something that is decreasing in frequency or availability. For example, "Genuine acts of kindness are "becoming rarer" in today's society".

What's a synonym for "becoming rarer"?

Synonyms include "becoming less common", "getting scarcer", or "diminishing in prevalence". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more rare" instead of "rarer"?

While grammatically acceptable, "more rare" is less common and can sound less polished than "rarer". Using "rarer" is generally preferred for its conciseness.

What is the difference between "becoming rarer" and "used to be common"?

"Becoming rarer" describes an ongoing process of something decreasing in frequency, whereas "used to be common" describes something that was prevalent in the past but doesn't necessarily imply a continuing decline. For instance, "landline phones used to be common, but they are "becoming rarer" now".