exceptionally rare

USAGE SUMMARY

"exceptionally rare" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to emphasize how unusual or extraordinary something is. For example, "That diamond is exceptionally rare; it's one of a kind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's also exceptionally rare".

The New York Times - Arts

Shark attacks on humans remain exceptionally rare.

The Guardian

Such a determination by the F.D.A. is exceptionally rare.

The New York Times

In fact, the kind of behaviour that does is exceptionally rare.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a self-described socialist, Sanders is an exceptionally rare breed of American politician.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These works are exceptionally rare," said Stephen Fleigel, Cleveland's curator of medieval art.

The New York Times - Arts

It has been exceptionally rare for major powers to intervene militarily for predominantly humanitarian reasons.

The New York Times

That means the frequency of this exceptionally rare event has increased just a bit.

The New York Times

The soaring London property market means that homes valued in five figures are exceptionally rare.

Independent

This little hardbound edition of "Life-Spark Stories" isn't just weird — it is exceptionally rare.

The New York Times

"That amount of outdoor space in this neighborhood is exceptionally rare," Ms. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceptionally rare" to add emphasis when describing something that occurs far less often than expected or is particularly unique. This phrase is more impactful than simply stating something is "rare".

Common error

Avoid using "exceptionally rare" too frequently in your writing, as it can diminish the impact and make your language sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly exceptional cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptionally rare" functions as an intensifier (exceptionally) + adjective (rare). It modifies a noun to emphasize the degree to which something is uncommon. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to highlight the unusual nature of the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptionally rare" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that enhances descriptions by stressing the uncommon nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, this phrase adds emphasis to a statement. To avoid overuse, ensure its application is reserved for circumstances truly deserving of the description. Remember that alternatives like "extremely uncommon" or "remarkably scarce" can also serve similar purposes, preventing repetition and enriching your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely uncommon

Replaces "rare" with "uncommon" and "exceptionally" with "extremely", slightly altering the tone.

extraordinarily unusual

Replaces "rare" with "unusual" and "exceptionally" with "extraordinarily", amplifying the sense of being uncommon.

remarkably scarce

Substitutes "rare" with "scarce" and "exceptionally" with "remarkably", indicating limited availability or occurrence.

unusually infrequent

Replaces "rare" with "infrequent" and "exceptionally" with "unusually", highlighting the lack of frequency.

distinctively infrequent

Emphasizes the clear infrequency, using "distinctively" to highlight the noticeable lack of frequency.

singularly unique

Emphasizes the uniqueness and rarity, using "singularly" to intensify the uniqueness.

uncommonly sparse

Highlights the limited quantity or distribution, using "sparse" to convey scarcity.

unparalleled rarity

Focuses on the unmatched and exceptional nature of the rarity itself.

decidedly atypical

Highlights the departure from the norm, using "decidedly" to emphasize the atypical nature.

unmatched scarcity

Highlights that scarcity has no equals and it is very important.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "exceptionally rare" in a sentence?

Use "exceptionally rare" to describe something that is highly unusual or infrequent. For example: "Finding a genuine four-leaf clover is "exceptionally rare"."

What are some alternatives to using "exceptionally rare"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely uncommon", "remarkably scarce", or "unusually infrequent" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say something is "very exceptionally rare"?

Yes, using "very" before "exceptionally rare" is generally redundant. The word "exceptionally" already implies a high degree of rarity. It is better to simply use ""exceptionally rare"".

What makes something "exceptionally rare" versus just "rare"?

The term ""exceptionally rare"" indicates that something is not just uncommon, but significantly more so than what is typically considered rare. It suggests an extraordinary level of infrequency.