infrequent use

USAGE SUMMARY

"infrequent use" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is not used often or occurs rarely. Example: "The software is designed for infrequent use, making it ideal for occasional tasks." Alternative expressions include "rarely used" and "seldom utilized."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initially, however, the agency made infrequent use of this new authority.

The New York Times

Iversen stressed that most users report infrequent use, with 60% reporting they have used cocaine "once or twice".

The Guardian

Given my fairly infrequent use of the fireplace, he said, I should be O.K. waiting two years for an inspection.

The New York Times

High sexual activity and infrequent use of condoms produced a teen-pregnancy rate five times that of the Netherlands.

The Economist

Mr. Bush has made relatively infrequent use of the broad clemency power granted to him in the Constitution, issuing 171 pardons and 8 commutations.

The New York Times

Assessment of sleep disturbance in cancer patients is hindered by infrequent use of standardized tools for sleep management.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Law enforcement officials say Mr. Ashcroft has all but ruled out handing the case to local prosecutors in Maryland because of their infrequent use of the death penalty.

The New York Times

The lack of care, poor nutrition and the infrequent use of sunglasses here made cataracts seen this week larger and harder and more difficult to extract, surgeons said.

The Washington Post

In November 1987, after Mr Gore had gone public about infrequent use, Mr Warnecke received a call from a reporter on his former newspaper.

The Guardian

Now the sweet smell of manure is a rare perfume, the product of the few horses in infrequent use by the mounted Parks Enforcement Patrol.

The New York Times

Infrequent use of tools for surgical patients sequencing results in inappropriate prioritization of patients, waiting days/weeks to have their procedures.

Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rarity of an event or the lack of reliance on a resource, use "infrequent use" to clearly convey that something is not a common practice. For example: "Due to the cost, there is "infrequent use" of high-resolution satellite imagery for environmental monitoring."

Common error

Avoid using "infrequent use" when you actually mean "improper use". "Infrequent use" refers to how often something is used, while "improper use" describes how correctly something is used. For example, say "The negative health effects are caused by "improper use", not infrequent use, of the medication".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequent use" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence to describe how something is utilized or applied. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. For instance, "The "infrequent use" of standardized tools hinders sleep management assessment."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequent use" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to indicate that something is not utilized often. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable in written English across diverse contexts. Its register varies from formal to neutral, depending on the source, with higher prevalence in scientific and academic domains. To enhance clarity, consider using synonyms like "occasional use" or "rare use" based on your specific context. Avoid confusing it with "improper use", which refers to the correctness of application rather than frequency. Overall, "infrequent use" is a versatile phrase for describing the lack of regular utilization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasional use

Implies use happening from time to time but not regularly, emphasizing the sporadic nature.

rare use

Indicates that something is seldom utilized, highlighting its scarcity.

limited use

Suggests a restriction or constraint on how often something is used.

sporadic use

Emphasizes irregular and scattered instances of utilization.

scarce use

Highlights the minimal availability or employment of something.

seldom used

A passive construction emphasizing the lack of frequency in usage.

uncommon usage

Focuses on the atypical nature of the practice or application.

light use

Suggests minimal or gentle application, implying reduced intensity and frequency.

minimal utilization

Formal alternative emphasizing the reduced extent to which something is put to service.

reduced application

Highlights the lessened degree to which something is applied or employed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "infrequent use" in a sentence?

You can replace "infrequent use" with alternatives like "occasional use", "rare use", or "limited use", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "infrequent use" and "discontinued use"?

"Infrequent use" means something is used only occasionally, while "discontinued use" implies that something was used before but is no longer in use. For example, "Due to side effects, there was a discontinued use of the drug, not simply an infrequent use".

Is it better to say "infrequent use" or "rarely used"?

Both "infrequent use" and "rarely used" are acceptable, but "infrequent use" is a noun phrase that describes the act of using something infrequently, while "rarely used" is an adverbial phrase describing the state of something being used rarely. The best choice depends on the sentence structure.

What are the implications of "infrequent use" in a business context?

In a business context, "infrequent use" might suggest that a particular tool, strategy, or resource is not essential or effective enough to warrant regular application. This could lead to reevaluation or resource reallocation. Maybe you should look for a "more efficient alternative".