is rare enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'is rare enough' is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is rare or not very likely to occur. For example: "Winning the lottery is rare enough, but to win it twice is even more remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Good is rare enough, believe me".

The New Yorker

For him, one blown save is rare enough.

The New York Times - Sports

A scientist who praises an employer is rare enough.

The New York Times - Science

To fluster James into a crunch-time turnover is rare enough.

The New York Times - Sports

It is rare enough to see even mildly overweight characters depicted in new plays.

The New York Times

For such a player to be performing oddball music in the East Village is rare enough.

The New York Times

Good news is rare enough in international relations; it deserves to be acknowledged when it happens.

The Guardian - Opinion

To see Olerud, the Mets' first baseman, argue a called strike is rare enough.

The New York Times - Sports

This is rare enough, however, that the bank continues to make these loans.

The New York Times

Not just humor, which is rare enough, but wit, which combines humor with intelligence.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, it has bite and doesn't suck, which is rare enough for a modern vampire tale.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rare enough" to emphasize the improbability or infrequency of an event, creating a sense of surprise or wonder. For example, "Finding a parking spot downtown is rare enough; finding one for free is a miracle."

Common error

While "is rare enough" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal or conversational. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "is sufficiently uncommon" or "is notably exceptional" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rare enough" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is uncommon or infrequent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to qualify or describe the rarity of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is rare enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to underscore the uncommon nature of an event or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of surprise or exceptionality. When aiming for formality, alternatives like "is sufficiently uncommon" or "is notably exceptional" may be preferable. Keep in mind its versatility when aiming for everyday and relatable writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is sufficiently uncommon

Focuses on the lack of commonality, similar to the original phrase.

is adequately infrequent

Highlights the lack of frequent occurrence, closely mirroring the original.

is suitably scarce

Emphasizes the limited availability or existence of something.

is notably exceptional

Shifts the focus to the unusual and outstanding nature of something.

is remarkably atypical

Points out the deviation from the typical or usual.

is particularly unusual

Stresses the uncommon nature of something in a more general way.

is seldom seen

Emphasizes the infrequent observation of something.

is infrequently encountered

Focuses on the rare experience of coming across something.

is in short supply

Highlights the limited availability, often in a practical sense.

is like hen's teeth

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme rarity.

FAQs

How can I use "is rare enough" in a sentence?

You can use "is rare enough" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For instance, "Seeing a shooting star is rare enough, but seeing a whole meteor shower is truly spectacular."

What are some alternatives to "is rare enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is sufficiently uncommon", "is adequately infrequent", or "is suitably scarce".

When is it appropriate to use "is rare enough" in writing?

"Is rare enough" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, but it's especially effective when you want to emphasize the unusual nature of something. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits appropriately.

Is there a difference between "is rare enough" and "is very rare"?

While both phrases indicate something uncommon, "is rare enough" often implies a stronger sense of surprise or exceptionality compared to "is very rare". The phrase "is very rare" is a simple statement of infrequency, whereas "is rare enough" can suggest that something is so rare as to be almost unbelievable.