Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is rather uncommon
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is rather uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not frequently encountered or is unusual in a particular context. Example: "The species of bird we spotted in the forest is rather uncommon in this region."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
27 human-written examples
This would suggest that obstructive sleep apnea is rather uncommon in patients with difficult headache.
Already, a 30 year loan, i.e., a 30 year refinancing frequency, is rather uncommon.
Science
Backwardation is rather uncommon in agricultural commodities and is almost never seen in gold.
News & Media
Supporting end users to adapt business processes is rather uncommon in the context of large Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
Science
But for the provided text corpus (the quotes used in the experiment), the letter "k" is rather uncommon (Table 2), so this type of entry is uncommon.
Although liposarcoma is the second most frequent malignant STT (14.2%) after myxofibrosarcoma, formerly named myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma [6], it is rather uncommon in the subcutaneous compartment [4].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
33 human-written examples
Peroneal nerve lesions are rather uncommon and are usually exclusively evaluated by clinical and/or electrophysiological examination.
Science
Duodenal varices (DV) resulting from intrahepatic portal hypertension are rather uncommon accounting for only 1 3%% of all cases [3].
Science
Consequently, attempts to devise theories of reference for such expressions are rather uncommon, though certainly not unheard of.
Science
Thus, single parents with some asset income, perhaps child support (although this was rather uncommon during this period), might be better off on Unemployment Benefit and Housing Benefit than on Income Support.
It's rather uncommon these days to come across somebody that supports a woman's right to an abortion as well as the right to bear arms.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "is rather uncommon", consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, it might sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Choose synonyms like "rare" or "unusual" for informal settings.
Common error
Avoid overusing "rather" in your writing. While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "rather" can make your writing sound stilted. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "quite", "fairly", or "somewhat" to maintain a natural flow.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is rather uncommon" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It specifies the degree to which something is not common. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.
Frequent in
Science
80%
News & Media
12%
Wiki
4%
Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is rather uncommon" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that something is infrequent or rare. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and formal contexts, though it can be adapted for news and general writing. When using "is rather uncommon", consider your audience and the desired tone, as it can sound slightly formal. Alternatives such as ""is quite unusual"" or ""is fairly rare"" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Overusing "rather" should be avoided to maintain a natural writing style.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is quite unusual
Replaces "rather uncommon" with "quite unusual", altering the emphasis while maintaining the core meaning.
is fairly rare
Substitutes "rather uncommon" with "fairly rare", focusing on the scarcity of the subject.
is not particularly common
Uses a negative construction to express the infrequency, providing a slightly different tone.
is somewhat infrequent
Replaces "rather uncommon" with "somewhat infrequent", indicating a moderate lack of regularity.
is a relative rarity
Emphasizes the rare nature of the subject by calling it a "relative rarity".
does not often occur
Focuses on the low occurrence rate of the subject, changing the sentence structure.
is seldom encountered
Highlights the infrequent meeting or discovery of the subject.
is an exception rather than the rule
Indicates that the subject is an outlier, not a typical case.
is out of the ordinary
Implies that the subject deviates from what is considered normal or typical.
is atypical
A more concise and direct way of saying something is not typical.
FAQs
What does "is rather uncommon" mean?
The phrase "is rather uncommon" means something is not frequently encountered or is unusual. It indicates that the subject is rare or not typical.
How can I use "is rather uncommon" in a sentence?
You can use "is rather uncommon" to describe anything that occurs infrequently. For example, "This type of reaction "is rather uncommon" in these conditions."
What are some alternatives to "is rather uncommon"?
Alternatives include "is quite unusual", "is fairly rare", or "is not particularly common". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.
Is it better to say "is rather uncommon" or "is very uncommon"?
Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Is rather uncommon" suggests a moderate degree of infrequency, while "is very uncommon" implies a higher degree of rarity. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the rarity you want to convey.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested