fairly uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fairly uncommon' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very common. For example, "This bird species is fairly uncommon in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Abscesses of the spleen are fairly uncommon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Blue-crowned Trogon is fairly uncommon throughout its large range.

Cornell University

Instead Mr. Klein did a few things that are still fairly uncommon at the Vanguard.

The New York Times - Arts

Such restless creativity means menu changes — a fairly uncommon phenomenon in a pie shop.

The New York Times - Food

Symptomatic os acromiale are fairly uncommon, and treatment has included fragment excision, decompression, and open reduction and internal fixation.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

sampling from the truncated normal distribution or sampling from fairly uncommon distributions there are often no algorithms available.

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation

White-fronted Nunbird is a fairly uncommon resident in the midstory and subcanopy of terre firme forest.

Cornell University

Although widespread in both Amazonia and chocó forest, Little Cuckoo is fairly uncommon and often difficult to see.

Cornell University

It's a fairly uncommon conceit in television, although I know it has a significant place in theater.

The Guardian

Rates of these cancers are increasing but are still fairly uncommon, striking about 3 in 100,000 people.

The New York Times - Health

Internal struggles and rivalries between Saudi Arabia's many royals are nothing new, but outright coups are fairly uncommon.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly uncommon" when a more definitive statement (like 'rare' or 'common') would be inaccurate. It provides a nuanced description of frequency.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly uncommon" when the subject is, in fact, exceptionally rare. This dilutes the impact of stronger descriptors like "rare" or "unique" if the item is actually close to non-existent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly uncommon" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its relative infrequency. It serves to describe the prevalence or occurrence of something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly uncommon" serves as a valuable tool for expressing that something is not frequently encountered. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and readily usable. It strikes a balance between indicating infrequency and avoiding the implication of extreme rarity. Common in news, scientific, and academic writing, its neutral register makes it versatile. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "somewhat unusual" or "moderately rare", depending on context. Avoid using the term when the subject is exceedingly rare; doing so may dilute your message. This analysis has considered a high volume of examples that shows how to use this phrase properly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not particularly common

Uses a negative construction to express the infrequency, it adds a more verbose construction.

Somewhat unusual

Replaces "uncommon" with "unusual", offering a slight shift in tone.

Moderately rare

Emphasizes rarity to a greater degree than the original phrase. It changes intensity.

Not especially typical

Replaces "uncommon" with "atypical", focusing on a deviation from the norm.

Not widely seen

Focuses on visibility or prevalence.

Relatively scarce

Substitutes "uncommon" with "scarce", implying limited availability.

Slightly out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the deviation from what is considered normal or typical.

Infrequent to some extent

Adds a degree of precision about the level of infrequency, it is longer.

Marginally infrequent

Highlights the slight degree of infrequency.

Rather exceptional

Implies being different than the norm, and a level of interesting that is missing in the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly uncommon" to describe something that is not seen or found very often. For instance, "Blue eyes are "fairly uncommon" in people of African descent".

What's a good alternative to "fairly uncommon"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat unusual", "moderately rare", or "not particularly common" as alternatives to "fairly uncommon".

Is it better to say "fairly uncommon" or "very uncommon"?

"Fairly uncommon" suggests something is not very common but still exists, whereas "very uncommon" implies a higher degree of rarity. The choice depends on the actual frequency of what you're describing.

Can "fairly uncommon" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly uncommon" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that something is not frequently encountered. However, in highly technical or scientific contexts, consider more precise quantitative terms if available.