but rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

"but rarely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something only happens infrequently or not often. For example: I often travel abroad, but rarely to faraway places.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But rarely ants.

The New York Times

But rarely at the hospital.

The New Yorker

But rarely in Scotland.

The Guardian

But rarely are they asked.

The New York Times

Sure, it happened, but rarely.

The Guardian - Money

It is hearty fare, but rarely overfilling.

The New York Times

Vivax often debilitates, but rarely kills.

The Economist

But rarely is a song so apt.

The New Yorker

But rarely have they been needed.

The New York Times - Sports

Governors are investigated but rarely charged.

The New York Times

It is "much discussed but rarely seen".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but rarely", consider the context and whether a stronger or more specific term like "seldom" or "infrequently" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "but rarely" is grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "seldom", "infrequently", or restructuring your sentences for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rarely" functions as an adverbial conjunction, connecting two clauses while indicating that the action or state described in the second clause happens infrequently or is an exception to the first. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but rarely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase functioning as an adverbial conjunction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it introduces a contrasting element, signifying that something happens infrequently. While versatile across contexts, it is most prevalent in news, media, and scientific writing. Alternatives like "though infrequently" or "yet seldom" can add variety. When using "but rarely", ensure it accurately conveys the intended contrast and avoid overuse for a more polished writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though infrequently

Emphasizes the low frequency with which something happens, using "infrequently" instead of "rarely".

although uncommonly

Replaces "rarely" with "uncommonly" to highlight the unusual nature of the occurrence.

yet seldom

Uses "seldom" to convey a similar sense of infrequency, offering a slightly more formal tone.

however not often

A more direct substitution, replacing "rarely" with the phrase "not often" for simplicity.

while exceptionally

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the occurrence, suggesting it is an outlier.

nonetheless sporadically

Indicates that something happens only occasionally or at irregular intervals.

even so infrequently

Adds emphasis to the infrequency, highlighting the surprising nature of the event.

still scarcely

Uses "scarcely" to suggest that something happens only just or almost not at all.

but exceptionally

Directly replaces 'rarely' to highlight the exceptional nature of the event.

though uniquely

Indicates that the occurrence is one of a kind or very special, diverging slightly from the typical meaning of "rarely".

FAQs

How can I use "but rarely" in a sentence?

"But rarely" is used to introduce an exception to a general statement. For example: "I often eat fruit, but rarely apples."

What are some alternatives to "but rarely"?

You can use alternatives such as "though infrequently", "although uncommonly", or "yet seldom" to add variety to your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but rarely"?

Yes, "but rarely" is grammatically correct. It's a common construction used to express contrast or exception.

What's the difference between "but rarely" and "rarely but"?

"But rarely" introduces a contrasting element, while "rarely but" is less common and may sound awkward. It's generally better to use "but rarely" for clarity and natural flow.