in some rare cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in some rare cases" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to situations which are not very common and do not happen very often. For example: "In some rare cases, the disease can cause severe complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in some rare cases, companies are limiting certain chemicals even before Europe does.

The New York Times

And, in some rare cases, toenails grow back even after surgery to do away with them.

The New York Times

"Certain communities in some rare cases have gotten worse, but over all it's gotten better.

The New York Times

Short of cash and, in some rare cases, facing bankruptcy cities have seen their motives shift.

The New Yorker

Short of cash — and, in some rare cases, facing bankruptcy — cities have seen their motives shift.

The New Yorker

In some rare cases, like Ajubel's "Robinson Crusoe: A Wordless Book," there are no words at all.

The New York Times - Books

In some rare cases, it can get ugly, but they usually live quietly in their rooms and only come out after dark".

The New Yorker

The police often arrest drug users, sending them to special detoxification centers where doctors encourage, and sometimes force, immediate abstinence, which can in some rare cases be fatal.

The New York Times

To put things in perspective, on a legacy media site, social traffic weighs about 5% – in some rare cases 10% – and around 40%to50%0% of the pages views are generated via the home page.

The Guardian - Tech

The Spectator's editor, Fraser Nelson, points out, as Duncan Smith often does, that the present benefit system can take 98% away from claimants as they earn more, in some rare cases.

The Guardian - Opinion

In some rare cases the former tactic works but it hasn't worked in a long while.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in some rare cases" to introduce exceptions or unusual outcomes to a general rule or expectation. This helps to provide a more nuanced and accurate picture of the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "in some rare cases" too frequently in your writing, as it can weaken your overall argument or make it seem like you are hedging excessively. Reserve it for situations where the exception is truly noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in some rare cases" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the infrequency of a particular event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to introduce scenarios which are not very common and don't happen often.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

58%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in some rare cases" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce exceptions or unusual occurrences to a general statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it highlights that a particular event or situation is not common. It's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While widely acceptable, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid weakening the overall impact of your writing. Remember to consider alternatives like "on rare occasions" or "in exceptional circumstances" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on rare occasions

Focuses on the infrequency of the event.

in infrequent situations

Stresses the lack of frequency.

in exceptional circumstances

Emphasizes the unusual or atypical nature of the situation.

in unusual instances

Highlights the deviation from the norm.

in a few atypical events

Highlights that events are not typical.

in isolated incidents

Suggests the events are not connected or widespread.

seldomly

Implies something almost never happens.

hardly ever

Indicates a very low frequency of occurrence.

scarcely

Emphasizes the rarity of the event.

almost never

Conveys near absence of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "in some rare cases" in a sentence?

You can use "in some rare cases" to introduce an exception to a general statement. For example, "Most students pass the exam, but "in some rare cases", students may fail due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "in some rare cases"?

Alternatives to "in some rare cases" include "on rare occasions", "in exceptional circumstances", or "seldomly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in rare cases" or "in some rare cases"?

Both "in rare cases" and "in some rare cases" are acceptable. "In some rare cases" adds a slight emphasis on the fact that it's not all rare cases, but a subset of them, but there is no notable semantic variation.

What does "in some rare cases" imply about the frequency of an event?

"In some rare cases" implies that the event or situation being discussed is not common and does not occur frequently. It suggests that it is an exception rather than the rule.