is rather rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather rare" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to express the idea that something is uncommon or not seen very often. For example, "The sight of an albino dolphin is rather rare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Horizontal gene transfer of IS elements between distantly related organisms is rather rare [ 59].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Winning a free ride is rather rare.

The New York Times

"Such level of snow in southeast of France is rather rare".

The New York Times

The species is usually not uncommon, but is rather rare and has perhaps declined in northeast Argentina, and is very poorly known in Colombia.

Cornell University

THE audience at the Royal Festival Hall last Saturday enjoyed a musical experience that is rather rare in London: Russian music performed by Russian players.

The Economist

Among the larger mammals are red deer, roe deer, and wild boar, which are still hunted; the fallow deer is rather rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since such a perspective is rather rare in the field of energy policy analysis, the broader aim of this article is to attract more scientific attention to explanations that go beyond standard techno-economical or systemic analyses.

Energy Research & Social Science

The combination of such exceptional properties in one material is rather rare, but urgently needed by the industry to meet the increasingly multifunctional needs of advanced mechanical systems and devices.

Tribology International

Although strawberry, grape, peach, and a few other fruits have responded favourably to phosphorus, and although its application has been recommended, the phosphorus requirement of woody plants is low and deficiency is rather rare.

Britannica

This is partly because of a generally excellent performance record with both the larynx and the baton (his stage acting was also first rate), but mostly because booing, in the genteel climate of today's opera houses, is rather rare.

The Guardian - Music

It is rather rare and difficult to play in confidence with all new offerings available around.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "is rather rare" to emphasize the limited occurrence of a specific event, phenomenon, or characteristic, setting it apart from more commonplace instances. Be sure to support such claims with evidence or context for increased credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather rare" when describing something that is simply uncommon or slightly less frequent. Overstating the rarity can diminish the credibility of your statement. Ensure that the described item or event is genuinely infrequent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather rare" primarily functions as a descriptive expression. It serves to qualify a noun or concept, indicating that the subject in question occurs infrequently or is uncommon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and serves to denote rarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is rather rare" is a versatile phrase used to describe something uncommon or infrequent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from scientific publications to news articles. While synonyms like "is uncommon" or "is infrequent" may offer greater precision in formal settings, "is rather rare" effectively conveys the notion of something not frequently encountered. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the described event or item genuinely merits the description of being rare, as overstating its infrequency can undermine the accuracy and impact of your writing. Remember to avoid using it in Formal & Business content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat uncommon

Emphasizes a slightly lower degree of rarity; a more moderate form of "uncommon".

is fairly infrequent

Focuses on the lack of frequency rather than inherent rarity.

is relatively scarce

Highlights the limited availability or supply of something.

is distinctly unusual

Stresses the deviation from the norm or the unexpected nature of something.

is decidedly exceptional

Indicates that something is not only rare but also notably better or different.

is notably atypical

Emphasizes the divergence from a typical pattern or expectation.

is strikingly infrequent

Highlights the surprising or remarkable lack of frequency.

is particularly uncommon

Focuses on the degree to which something deviates from being common.

is unusually scarce

Highlights that something is not just scarce, but exceptionally so.

is uniquely individual

Suggests that something is so rare it is also unique.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather rare" to describe something that doesn't occur often. For example, "Finding a four-leaf clover "is rather rare"".

What's the difference between "is rather rare" and "is very rare"?

"Is very rare" indicates a higher degree of infrequency than ""is rather rare"". "Is very rare" suggests the occurrence is exceptional, while "is rather rare" indicates it is somewhat uncommon.

What are some synonyms for "is rather rare"?

Alternatives to ""is rather rare"" include "is uncommon", "is infrequent", "is scarce", or "is atypical". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is rather rare" in formal writing?

While ""is rather rare"" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "is infrequent" or "is uncommon" in academic or highly professional contexts for enhanced precision and formality.