infrequently encountered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequently encountered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not often seen or experienced. Example: "The species is infrequently encountered in this region, making it a rare find for researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Before the Internet, one infrequently encountered short films.

The New York Times

Young audiences are still too infrequently encountered at theatre, opera and classical music, and genuinely multi-ethnic audiences remain, despite initiative after initiative, depressingly rare.

Independent

Your Task: In a paragraph describe an infrequently encountered risk you think people exaggerate that wasn't listed in the essay, and then explain what risks you encounter daily yet underestimate.

The New York Times

You will also know something about the chemical reactions that create bioluminescent light; learn that though infrequently encountered on land, perhaps 90 percent of ocean creatures below a half-mile are bioluminescent; and gain newfound respect for the complexities of jellyfish.

The New York Times - Arts

The coincidence of oncocytoma with RCC is not infrequently encountered.

EJNMMI Research

In conclusion, femoral head fractures are infrequently encountered injuries.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mesopelagic organisms float freely in the ocean and infrequently encounter other plants and animals.

Science Magazine

Despite advancement in image guidance, including real time ones, not infrequently we encountered equipment malfunction or navigational shifts and/or errors.

Plosone

It is encountered infrequently in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients presenting with continuous burning pain, particularly in the soles ("like walking on burning sand") with nocturnal exacerbation.

Diabetes Care

Still startling despite its age, the piece is encountered relatively infrequently, mostly because it demands a vocalist willing to do absurd, terrifying and potentially dangerous things with his voice.

The New York Times - Arts

Because the bigeye sand tiger is encountered so infrequently, it has no commercial importance.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the frequency of events or phenomena, use "infrequently encountered" to indicate that something is not commonly experienced or observed. For instance, "Side effects are infrequently encountered with this medication".

Common error

Avoid using stronger terms like "never encountered" when "infrequently encountered" is more accurate. Overstating the rarity can mislead your audience. "Infrequently encountered" suggests it's rare but possible, unlike "never encountered" which implies impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequently encountered" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle, typically describing the rarity with which something is experienced or observed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequently encountered" is a versatile phrase used to describe something not commonly experienced. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically sound. It finds primary application in scientific and news contexts to specify the rarity of events, objects, or situations. While various alternatives exist—such as "rarely encountered" and "seldom encountered"—choosing the right synonym depends on the precise shade of meaning you aim to convey. Remember that accurately representing the degree of infrequency is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely encountered

Focuses on the rarity of the encounter.

seldom encountered

Highlights the infrequency with which something is met.

uncommonly encountered

Emphasizes the lack of commonality in encountering something.

infrequently met with

Uses "met with" as a synonym for "encountered".

scarcely encountered

Underscores the limited number of encounters.

hardly ever encountered

Highlights the very low frequency of encounters.

occasionally encountered

Suggests encounters happen only from time to time.

sporadically encountered

Indicates irregular and infrequent encounters.

not often encountered

A more literal rephrasing of the original phrase.

rarely observed

Replaces "encountered" with "observed", focusing on observation.

FAQs

How can I use "infrequently encountered" in a sentence?

You can use "infrequently encountered" to describe something that is not often seen or experienced. For example, "The complications are "rarely encountered" during this procedure".

What are some alternatives to "infrequently encountered"?

Alternatives include "rarely encountered", "seldom encountered", or "uncommonly encountered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "rarely encountered" or "infrequently encountered"?

"Infrequently encountered" and "rarely encountered" are quite similar. "Infrequently" emphasizes the lack of frequency, while "rarely" highlights the scarcity. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What does "infrequently encountered" imply about the likelihood of something happening?

It suggests that the event or object is not common, but it doesn't rule out the possibility. It's more likely than something that is "never encountered", but less likely than something that is "often encountered".