extremely rare

USAGE SUMMARY

"extremely rare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unique and unusual. For example, "This type of flower is an extremely rare species, found only in the Amazon rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hospitals are extremely rare.

The Economist

Success was extremely rare.

The New York Times

"They're extremely rare".

The New Yorker

That's extremely rare.

The New Yorker

That was extremely rare.

The Guardian

It's extremely rare.

The Guardian - Sport

Such deaths are extremely rare.

The New York Times

The disease is extremely rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

SNAP fraud is extremely rare.

The Guardian - Money

Hence the extremely rare superinjunction.

The Guardian

"That's extremely rare to find".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely rare", ensure the context clearly establishes what baseline or standard you are comparing against to emphasize the rarity effectively. For instance, 'While complications are possible, serious side effects are extremely rare in this procedure'.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely rare" when 'uncommon' or 'infrequent' would be more accurate. Overusing "extremely rare" can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely rare" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically used to describe nouns. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase emphasizes the infrequency or near absence of the noun it modifies. It serves to highlight the exceptional nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely rare" is a grammatically sound and widely used adjectival phrase indicating something is highly uncommon. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions to modify nouns and is employed across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific domains. Its register is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal communication. While effective, writers should avoid overusing it and ensure its application aligns with genuine infrequency to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unusual

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, rather than just the lack of occurrence.

scarcely ever seen

Highlights the infrequency of visual observation.

singularly uncommon

Emphasizes the uniqueness and infrequency of something.

not often encountered

Emphasizes the lack of experience or exposure to something.

unfrequently found

Focuses on the lack of ease in locating or discovering something.

virtually nonexistent

Suggests the rarity is so extreme it's almost not present.

unheard of

Suggests something is so rare it's almost beyond comprehension or expectation.

few and far between

An idiomatic expression highlighting the infrequency and separation of instances.

uncommonplace

Less frequently used but implies something out of the ordinary.

like hen's teeth

An idiomatic expression stressing extreme rarity, often used colloquially.

FAQs

What does "extremely rare" mean?

The phrase "extremely rare" means that something occurs very infrequently or is almost nonexistent. It indicates a very low probability or incidence of something happening.

How can I use "extremely rare" in a sentence?

You can use "extremely rare" to describe events, conditions, or objects that are uncommon. For example, "Complications from this surgery are "extremely rare"" or "This species of bird is "extremely rare" in this region".

What are some alternatives to "extremely rare"?

Some alternatives to "extremely rare" include "highly unusual", "virtually nonexistent", and "few and far between". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very extremely rare"?

Yes, "very extremely rare" is generally considered redundant. "Extremely" already implies a high degree of rarity, so adding "very" doesn't significantly enhance the meaning. It's best to stick with "extremely rare".