have rarely ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have rarely ever" is not considered standard in written English and may be seen as redundant.
It can be used in informal contexts to emphasize the infrequency of an occurrence, but it is better to avoid it in formal writing. Example: "I have rarely ever seen such a beautiful sunset."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I have rarely ever in my life been at a more joyful event.

The Guardian

In fact, Japanese prime ministers have rarely ever lasted more than a year and few can remember exactly how many there have been in the last 50 years.

The New York Times

I have rarely ever started a job where my initial and overwhelming sense isn't that I'm in the wrong profession and I can't act.

The Guardian

Giorgio Armani's shows have rarely ever been costume parades; they have, however, sometimes seemed endless, unfocused and no more engaging than late-night C-Span 2. Mr. Armani, who has drawn from military influences in the past, most notably in the late 70's, avoided the revivified trend this season.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Jefferson once bragged that he had "rarely ever planted a flower in my life".

The New York Times - Books

Fidel's allusion to his own death was significant it was something that he had rarely ever discussed publicly before.

The New Yorker

"She took a lot of stuff with her all the time, even things out of the apartment that Tennessee had here in Manhattan Plaza, which he had rarely ever occupied," Paula Laurence says.

The New Yorker

And still others, like Mr. Fitzgerald, who had rarely ever voted Republican, are inclined to vote for Mr. Bloomberg because, they say, he is the only one with the business experience to resurrect Lower Manhattan from the ashes.

The New York Times

However, this has rarely ever been tested in the urban landscape.

Biological Conservation

Now aged 82, he has rarely ever ventured into public since, and the once witty, blazing star of 70s politics was rejected even for a lowly race relations post on the old Greater London Council.

Vice

Many have rarely, if ever, been exhibited since.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "have seldom" or "have hardly ever" as more concise and grammatically preferred alternatives to "have rarely ever". This enhances clarity and avoids potential redundancy.

Common error

Avoid using "have rarely ever" in formal contexts where conciseness is valued. Opt for alternatives like "have seldom" or "have hardly ever" to maintain a polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have rarely ever" functions as an adverbial modifier within a verb phrase. It indicates the infrequency of an action or state. It emphasizes the rarity of something occurring. Ludwig shows its use in indicating events that do not occur often.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have rarely ever" is used to express the infrequency of an action or event. While grammatically acceptable, it is considered somewhat redundant and less preferred in formal writing, where options like "have seldom" or "have hardly ever" are more concise. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is most common in news and media contexts. Consider using it carefully, being aware of alternative options for more formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have seldom

Replaces "rarely ever" with a single word, maintaining a similar level of formality but being more concise.

have hardly ever

Similar in meaning, but slightly emphasizes the infrequency, almost to the point of never happening.

have infrequently

A more formal way to express the idea of something not happening often.

have scarcely ever

Implies that something has almost never happened, adding a degree of surprise.

have not often

A straightforward and simple way of expressing infrequent occurrence.

have on few occasions

Indicates that something has happened, but only a very small number of times.

have seldom or never

Emphasizes the rarity, suggesting it's close to never happening.

have almost never

Highlights the near absence of an event or action.

have scarcely

Simplifies the phrase while keeping its meaning of infrequency.

have uniquely

Signifies something that has happened as a singularity, an isolated instance.

FAQs

What is a better alternative to "have rarely ever"?

Consider using "have seldom" or "have hardly ever" as more concise and grammatically standard alternatives.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have rarely ever"?

While not strictly incorrect, "have rarely ever" is often considered redundant. "Rarely" already implies infrequency, making "ever" unnecessary. It's generally acceptable in informal speech but should be avoided in formal writing.

How can I use "have rarely ever" in a sentence?

You can use "have rarely ever" to emphasize the infrequency of an action or experience, for example: "I "have rarely ever" seen such a beautiful sunset".

What's the difference between "have rarely ever" and "have hardly ever"?

"Have rarely ever" and "have hardly ever" are quite similar, but "have hardly ever" emphasizes the infrequency even more, suggesting something almost never happens. Both are less formal than "have seldom".