extremely uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very rare or not frequently encountered. Example: "Finding a four-leaf clover is extremely uncommon, making it a special find for those who come across one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This gives hope to those affected by extremely uncommon disorders.

The New Yorker

Hamate fractures, particularly body fractures, are extremely uncommon.

International Journal of Surgery Case Reports

In Hollywood, it is extremely uncommon, almost bizarre, for a marriage to endure.

The Guardian

Extraskeletal cartilaginous lesions are extremely uncommon and include soft tissue chondroma, mesenchymal and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Current Diagnostic Pathology

Thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) without fractures or discoligamentary injuries in adults is extremely uncommon.

The Spine Journal

Shark attacks, especially by great whites, are extremely uncommon and rarely fatal.

The Washington Post

Indeed, data available at the time showed that voter fraud was extremely uncommon in the state's elections.

The Guardian

It's easy to understand that fear, though in fact abduction by strangers is an extremely uncommon occurrence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Transverse sacral fracture in pediatric patients is extremely uncommon with only nine cases reported in literature so far.

The Spine Journal

Legal arguments in medical tribunal hearings about which state or territory a case should be heard in are extremely uncommon.

The Guardian

His pleasant exhaustion came in pursuit of an achievement that is at least extremely uncommon, and maybe unprecedented.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extremely uncommon" to emphasize the rarity of something, adding a layer of surprise or disbelief to the statement. For example, "It is extremely uncommon to find such a well-preserved artifact."

Common error

Avoid using "extremely uncommon" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be preferred. Instead of saying "The occurrence is extremely uncommon", consider using phrases like "The incidence is rare" or "The phenomenon is infrequent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely uncommon" functions as an intensifier (extremely) modifying an adjective (uncommon). It describes something that occurs very rarely. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely uncommon" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the rarity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse domains, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like ""highly unusual"" or ""very rare"" exist, "extremely uncommon" offers a distinct emphasis. It's best practice to use it to add a sense of surprise or disbelief, while avoiding overuse in overly formal settings, where more precise language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unusual

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm more strongly than "extremely uncommon".

very rare

Focuses on the scarcity of occurrence, differing slightly in tone.

exceptionally infrequent

Highlights the lack of frequency to an exceptional degree.

remarkably scarce

Indicates a noticeable lack of availability or occurrence.

strikingly atypical

Emphasizes the deviation from the typical or usual.

unusually infrequent

Highlights the infrequency as being out of the ordinary.

decidedly rare

Adds a sense of certainty to the rarity.

distinctly uncommon

Suggests a clear and noticeable lack of commonality.

patently unusual

Emphasizes the obvious and undeniable nature of being unusual.

singularly rare

Suggests a uniqueness and rarity combined.

FAQs

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

You can use "extremely uncommon" to describe something that rarely happens or is rarely found. For example: "Shark attacks are "extremely uncommon"."

What are some alternatives to "extremely uncommon"?

Alternatives include "very rare", "highly unusual", or "exceptionally infrequent", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "excessively uncommon" instead of "extremely uncommon"?

While "excessively uncommon" is grammatically correct, "extremely uncommon" is the more idiomatic and frequently used expression. "Excessively uncommon" may sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "uncommon" and "extremely uncommon"?

"Uncommon" means something is not often seen or found, while "extremely uncommon" intensifies this, indicating that something is very rare and unusual.