entirely uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not common at all, emphasizing its rarity. Example: "While many people enjoy coffee, tea is entirely uncommon in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

That's not entirely uncommon, either.

The Guardian

In the immediate aftermath of the election, it was not entirely uncommon to hear practitioners questioning whether journalism mattered.

The New Yorker

Ellis took things further than some, and had more success than most, but his approach was not entirely uncommon.

The New Yorker

Since the 1970s, however, evidence has mounted that neogenesis is more widespread in the animal world, and not entirely uncommon in humans.

The Economist

Snapping up cut-price council homes can instead represent one of the costliest forms of homeownership in the long term, especially when your home happens to be a flat in a rundown block - not an entirely uncommon social housing scenario.

The Guardian

But even though very few New Yorkers can claim a century spent in essentially one place, the notion of maintaining roots on a street is not entirely uncommon, said Andrew A. Beveridge, a Queens College sociologist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The title manages the uncommon (but not entirely rare) feat of debuting below the No. 1 position and then climbing to the peak at a later date.

Forbes

Interview With a Ketamine Chemist.

Vice

Ketamine's effects last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much you take, a cheap alternative to drinking and less obvious than lighting a joint inside a club though that's not entirely an uncommon sight in East Africa either.

Vice

This association, though apparently uncommon, is entirely plausible.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Historically, the rejection of a Supreme Court nomination due to partisan fighting is relatively uncommon but not entirely without precedent.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely uncommon" to add emphasis when describing something that is significantly less frequent than the norm. It conveys a stronger sense of rarity compared to simply saying "uncommon".

Common error

Avoid using "entirely uncommon" to describe situations that are only mildly unusual. Save it for truly rare or exceptional cases to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely uncommon" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It strengthens the adjective "uncommon", indicating a higher degree of infrequency. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to emphasize rarity. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Entirely uncommon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something decidedly rare. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an intensifier, stressing the unusual nature of a subject. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its register is mostly neutral. To effectively employ this phrase, remember to reserve it for truly exceptional cases, and not for situations that are just mildly unusual. In summary, "entirely uncommon" serves as a potent tool to add emphasis and underscore the rarity of specific occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all common

Expresses infrequency through negation of commonness.

quite rare

Emphasizes rarity using a different adjective.

exceptionally rare

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the rarity.

highly unusual

Highlights the unusual nature of something.

far from typical

Indicates a deviation from what is considered normal.

distinctly infrequent

Uses a more formal tone to denote low frequency.

seldom encountered

Focuses on the infrequency of encountering something.

remarkably scarce

Stresses the limited availability or occurrence.

unheard of

Suggests that something is unprecedented or unknown.

virtually nonexistent

Implies that something is almost completely absent.

FAQs

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

You can use "entirely uncommon" to describe something that is not at all common. For example, "While many people enjoy coffee, tea is "entirely uncommon" in this region."

What phrases are similar to "entirely uncommon"?

Alternatives to "entirely uncommon" include phrases like "quite rare", "not at all common", or "highly unusual".

Is "entirely uncommon" formal or informal?

"Entirely uncommon" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing. It leans slightly towards the formal side due to the use of "entirely".

What is the difference between "uncommon" and "entirely uncommon"?

"Entirely uncommon" emphasizes a higher degree of rarity than just "uncommon". It suggests that something is significantly less frequent or more exceptional than what is merely "uncommon".