infrequently occurs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequently occurs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens rarely or not often. Example: "The phenomenon of bioluminescence in certain species of fungi infrequently occurs in temperate regions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Pesticides are used the world over; and, even though precautionary measures (such as using protective clothing and respirators, monitoring contamination of equipment and clothing, keeping workers out of recently sprayed areas, and requiring workers to wash thoroughly after exposure) can be instituted, poisoning not infrequently occurs in agricultural communities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Primary breast cancer fairly infrequently occurs in the ectopic breast tissue, and ectopic primary breast cancer of the vulva is particularly rare.

Surgical Case Reports

Primary breast cancer fairly infrequently occurs in ectopic breast tissue, and primary ectopic breast cancer of the vulva is particularly rare.

Surgical Case Reports

Migraine with aura not infrequently occurs in the elderly; this headache, as well as cluster headache, can even start, even rarely, over 65 and in such cases a differential diagnosis with a possible secondary disorder is mandatory.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Introduction Though efforts have been made in the previous decades to teach medical students the basics of clinical research, their own involvement in such studies infrequently occurs before they become residents or assistants.

Annals of Intensive Care

By combining influenza mapping and commercial geodemographics segmentation (Mosaic Japan) at the small enumeration district level, we aimed to profile neighborhoods where influenza frequently or infrequently occurs.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This one was unusual because it contains infrequently occurring letters – two Fs and an H. Muzjiks (126) Russian peasants.

The Guardian

After that, we discard the infrequently occurring groups and sort the remaining groups.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

For example, a late positive wave, P300, appears to occur only if subjects actively detect an infrequently occurring target stimulus.

International Journal of Psychophysiology

We demonstrate our wide-area framework for two infrequently occurring objects over large geographic areas in Australia.

Computer Vision and Image Understanding

However, infrequently occurring bins specific to compounds with peculiar structural features did not appear as highly ranked in the composite 3D-QSDAR models.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rarity of an event or phenomenon, use "infrequently occurs" to convey that it does happen, but not often. This is more precise than simply saying it "never occurs", which implies it does not happen at all.

Common error

Avoid using "infrequently occurs" when the event is truly rare or almost nonexistent. In such cases, alternatives like "rarely occurs" or "almost never happens" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequently occurs" functions as an adverbial modifier (infrequently) followed by a verb (occurs). According to Ludwig AI, it describes the frequency with which an event or action takes place.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infrequently occurs" is a grammatically correct way to express that something happens, but not often. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in written English, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. While similar to "rarely occurs", it offers a slightly different nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the event's frequency; if the event is exceptionally rare, consider using alternatives like "almost never happens". Be mindful of overstating rarity and choose the most precise wording to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs rarely

Replaces the adverb "infrequently" with "rarely", keeping the meaning nearly identical.

seldom happens

Substitutes "infrequently" with "seldom" and "occurs" with "happens", offering a slightly more informal tone.

rarely takes place

Replaces "infrequently" with "rarely" and "occurs" with "takes place", providing a more descriptive alternative.

scarcely transpires

Uses "scarcely" and "transpires" for a more formal and less common expression.

uncommonly arises

Employs "uncommonly" and "arises" to suggest an unusual or unexpected event.

hardly ever occurs

Adds emphasis with "hardly ever", indicating a very low frequency of occurrence.

occurs on occasion

Indicates that the event happens only sometimes, with irregular frequency.

happens sporadically

Highlights the irregular and unpredictable nature of the occurrence.

infrequently comes about

Substitutes "occurs" with the phrasal verb "comes about", maintaining a similar level of formality.

occurs from time to time

Suggests that the event happens only occasionally, without a regular pattern.

FAQs

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

You can use "infrequently occurs" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For example, "While side effects are possible, serious complications "infrequently occurs" after this procedure".

What are some alternatives to "infrequently occurs"?

Alternatives include "rarely happens", "seldom occurs", or "uncommonly arises". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

"Infrequently occurs" and "rarely occurs" are quite similar. "Rarely occurs" might be slightly more common, but both are grammatically sound and convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "infrequently occurs" and "never occurs"?

"Infrequently occurs" means something happens but not often, while "never occurs" means it doesn't happen at all. The former allows for the possibility of the event, however small.