is fairly uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is fairly uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not frequently encountered or observed. Example: "The phenomenon of bioluminescence in terrestrial organisms is fairly uncommon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Blue-crowned Trogon is fairly uncommon throughout its large range.

Cornell University

Although widespread in both Amazonia and chocó forest, Little Cuckoo is fairly uncommon and often difficult to see.

Cornell University

Research geophysicist Malcolm Johnson of the Survey, said the alert is "fairly uncommon". It reflects "a moderate level of increased activity and unrest in the vicinity of the Mammoth Mountain volcano," he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Despite widespread recognition that landforms are complex Earth systems with process-response linkages that span temporal scales from seconds to millennia and spatial scales from sand grains to landscapes, research that integrates knowledge across these scales is fairly uncommon.

Earth-Science Reviews

There's a forthrightness about where food comes from — there's no attempt to disguise the fact that you are snacking on bunnies — that is fairly uncommon in the United States.

The New Yorker

Because Bradley's inclination to analyze every gesture in basketball is fairly uncommon, other players look at him as if they think him a little odd when he seeks them out after a game and asks them to show him what they did in making a move that he particularly admired.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Abscesses of the spleen are fairly uncommon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Symptomatic os acromiale are fairly uncommon, and treatment has included fragment excision, decompression, and open reduction and internal fixation.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Liver cancer has been fairly uncommon in the United States, with about 19,000 new cases expected this year, with nearly 17,000 deaths.

The New York Times - Health

Internal struggles and rivalries between Saudi Arabia's many royals are nothing new, but outright coups are fairly uncommon.

Independent

First, opportunities to deploy it are fairly uncommon: an airline has to have significant power over a route (as Delta does with Cincinnati-Atlanta) to make it viable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is fairly uncommon", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared against to determine the level of commonality. Be specific about the population or setting in which something is uncommon.

Common error

Avoid using "is fairly uncommon" when the subject is genuinely rare or almost nonexistent. Consider using stronger terms like "rare" or "extremely uncommon" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is fairly uncommon" functions as a descriptive predicate adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating a moderate degree of infrequency or rarity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is fairly uncommon" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey that something occurs less often than expected. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is commonly used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While grammatically correct, being precise about what's considered the standard is crucial, as is refraining from utilizing it when expressing something truly rare. Consider alternative phrasing like "is relatively rare" or "is somewhat unusual" based on the specific level of infrequency you aim to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is relatively rare

Indicates a slightly stronger sense of infrequency than "fairly uncommon".

is not particularly common

Uses a double negative to express a lack of commonness.

is somewhat unusual

Shifts the focus to the atypical nature of something.

is moderately infrequent

Replaces "fairly" with "moderately" and "uncommon" with "infrequent", maintaining a similar level of formality.

is rather scarce

Emphasizes the limited availability or presence of something.

is not often seen

Focuses on the low frequency of observation.

is seldom encountered

Highlights the infrequency of encountering something.

is a rarity

Simplifies the phrase to a noun phrase indicating something exceptional.

is out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm or expected.

is the exception rather than the rule

Expresses that something occurs infrequently, serving as an exception to the general principle.

FAQs

How can I use "is fairly uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "is fairly uncommon" to describe something that occurs less often than expected. For example, "While side effects are possible, this particular reaction "is fairly uncommon"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "is fairly uncommon"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is relatively rare", "is somewhat unusual", or "is not particularly common", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is fairly uncommon" in formal writing?

Yes, "is fairly uncommon" is suitable for formal writing. However, choose the alternative phrasing that best fits the tone and context of your writing. In scientific context consider alternatives like "is moderately infrequent".

What's the difference between "is fairly uncommon" and "is rare"?

"Is fairly uncommon" suggests something occurs less frequently than average, but not exceptionally so. "Is rare" indicates that something is highly infrequent and exceptional. The choice depends on the degree of infrequency you want to express.