it is uncommon for

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a perfectly valid part of a sentence in written English.
Example sentence: "It is uncommon for someone to achieve that level of success in the industry without a college education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is Kentucky's 49th N.C.A.A. tournament berth and its 17th in succession, and it is uncommon for the Wildcats to be underdogs in a first-round game.

The New York Times - Sports

However, it is uncommon for a plant to be built and have its capacity increased later on in its service life.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

But it is uncommon for children and young adults to acquire life-threatening infections.

The Guardian - Business

It is uncommon for someone who had been so high to fall so swiftly.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is uncommon for even a book a year to be banned nationally.

The New York Times - Books

But it is uncommon for a coach to take a camp out of state.

The New York Times - Sports

While such an approach is standard fare at American business schools, she says, it is uncommon for Cambridge.

The New York Times

Once the sovereign status quo has been altered through a popular vote, it is uncommon for another to be organized.

The Washington Post

It is uncommon for Beijing to respond directly to specific cases of individuals believed to be detained in Xinjiang.

The Guardian

But it is uncommon for black men, eighty-two per cent of whom voted for Hillary Clinton, to support him.

The New Yorker

As stated above, it is uncommon for patients to be able to step down to nonpharmacologic therapy.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is uncommon for", follow it with a clear explanation of why the situation is unusual or unexpected to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "it is uncommon for" when something is actually impossible or extremely rare; instead, use stronger language like "it is unheard of" or "it is impossible" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is uncommon for" functions as an introductory expression to highlight something that deviates from typical expectations. It sets the stage for a statement about an unusual or infrequent occurrence, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is uncommon for" serves as an effective way to introduce statements that deviate from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives such as "it is rare for" exist, "it is uncommon for" provides a subtle nuance, suggesting something is not typical without being exceptionally rare. When using this phrase, ensure you clarify the reason for the uncommonality to provide better context. Being mindful of overstatement can prevent any confusion to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is rare for

Emphasizes the infrequency of an event.

it is unusual for

Highlights the atypical nature of a situation.

it is infrequent for

Focuses on the lack of frequency.

it is atypical for

Stresses that something deviates from the norm.

it is exceptional for

Suggests something is an exception to the general rule.

it is uncharacteristic for

Implies something is not in line with typical behavior or patterns.

it is out of the ordinary for

Highlights the departure from what is considered normal.

it is unheard of for

Implies something is very rare or almost nonexistent.

it is unprecedented for

Suggests something has never happened before.

it is scarce for

Indicates a lack of abundance or frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "it is uncommon for" in a sentence?

Use "it is uncommon for" to introduce a statement about something that is not typically expected, such as, "It is uncommon for a player to peak at 30."

What can I say instead of "it is uncommon for"?

You can use alternatives like "it is rare for", "it is unusual for", or "it is infrequent for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "it is uncommon for" or "it is rare for"?

Both phrases are similar, but "it is rare for" implies a lower frequency than "it is uncommon for". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual frequency of the situation.

What's the difference between "it is uncommon for" and "it is not common for"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it is uncommon for" is generally considered more formal and slightly stronger in implying deviation from the norm compared to "it is not common for".