infrequent appearance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequent appearance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not happen often or occurs rarely. Example: "The infrequent appearance of the comet has made it a subject of fascination for astronomers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These observations were confirmed by fluorescent microscopy where large numbers of Lp01 were found intracellularly at later time points vs. the infrequent appearance of HL051C.

Plosone

The existence of large numbers of adult smallpox victims in London before the 1770s is evidence of the infrequent appearance of smallpox in parts of the English population in this period.

Economic History Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A world-champion surfer may be subjected, on a difficult day, to the same humiliations as a surfer of middling or no talent; hence, perhaps, the infrequent appearances of world-champion surfers at Ocean Beach.

The New Yorker

Between Angela and Vittorio, there are six children, age 16 to 21; add the children of Mr. Ragazzi and those of Vittorio's companion, Maurizia Castiglione -- and the not-infrequent appearance of young girlfriends and neighbors -- and you can understand why the peace is suddenly disturbed by a hooflike thunder as six boys fling themselves into the pool.

The New York Times

The flutist James Galway makes one of his infrequent appearances on the Island Saturday when he comes at Tilles Center on the C. W. Post campus of Long Island University in Brookville.

The New York Times

There has been a 'failure of those attorneys to familiarize themselves with the rules of local practice and procedure by reason of their infrequent appearance before the (Kansas) courts and tribunals.' 187 Kan.

Cornell University

It is important for disaster preparedness to realize that rarely seen climate surprises have a probability of occurrence, although their infrequent appearance means that they are seldom if ever given serious consideration.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The news that the 11 corps dancers would lose their jobs arrived on a day when Nilas Martins made one of his infrequent appearances onstage.

The New York Times - Arts

But not everyone in the galleries this week will be supporting Hoch, who has become an easy target because of his infrequent appearances.

The New York Times - Sports

McMahon has made infrequent appearances in the first season of the E! television series Total Divas.

Wikipedia

Citing Jemima's infrequent appearances in the narrative and the narrator's own use of the language of sensibility, they have difficulty in accepting the claim that the novel is undercutting or questioning the rhetoric of sensibility.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to focus on how rarely something is noticed or observed. For instance, "The infrequent appearance of the aurora in this region makes it a special event".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "infrequent appearance of" can sound overly formal in some contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "rarely seen" or "uncommon" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequent appearance of" functions as a noun phrase often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and describes something that does not appear or occur often.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequent appearance of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the rarity or sporadic visibility of something. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It finds its usage primarily in scientific and news-related contexts. While correct, writers should consider the level of formality required and opt for simpler alternatives like "rarely seen" or "uncommon" when appropriate. Be aware that alternative formulations such as "rare occurrence of" or "seldom seen display of" might better fit a specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequent visibility of

This alternative replaces "appearance" with "visibility" maintaining a similar meaning.

rare occurrence of

Focuses on the event itself being uncommon, rather than the act of appearing.

rare sighting of

Specifically refers to the act of seeing something that is not commonly seen.

sporadic manifestation of

Emphasizes the irregular and unpredictable nature of the appearance.

occasional emergence of

Highlights the coming into view or existence on an irregular basis.

scarce presence of

Highlights the lack of abundance or availability.

seldom seen display of

Focuses on the visual aspect and the infrequency of witnessing it.

uncommon visibility of

Stresses the lack of commonness in being seen or noticed.

periodic surfacing of

Suggests that something appears at intervals, then disappears again.

limited presentation of

Implies the appearance is controlled or restricted in some way.

FAQs

What does "infrequent appearance of" mean?

The phrase "infrequent appearance of" describes something that does not show up or occur often; it is rare or sporadic. It focuses on the act of something becoming visible or manifest being uncommon.

What can I say instead of "infrequent appearance of"?

You can use alternatives like "rare occurrence of", "seldom seen display of", or "uncommon visibility of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "infrequent appearance of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that is not typically seen or found. For example: "The infrequent appearance of this bird species in the area has ornithologists excited."

Is it better to say "rare appearance" or "infrequent appearance"?

Both "rare appearance" and "infrequent appearance" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Rare appearance" emphasizes the unusual nature of the appearance, while "infrequent appearance" highlights that the appearance doesn't happen often. The choice depends on the specific context.