it rarely works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it rarely works" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something does not often succeed or function as intended. Example: "I’ve tried that method several times, but it rarely works for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The main problem with performance-related pay, however, is that it rarely works – even on its own terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

It rarely works.

The Washington Post

But it rarely works.

The New York Times - Travel

No wonder it rarely works.

The New York Times - Magazine

It rarely works that way.

The New York Times

Sadly, it rarely works out like this.

Independent

But it rarely works out that way.

The New Yorker

It rarely works out that way.

The Washington Post

The problem is that it rarely works.

The Washington Post

But it rarely works out that simply.

The New York Times

Some aren't and it rarely works anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it rarely works" to express skepticism or low expectations about the effectiveness or success of a particular method, strategy, or action. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone and message.

Common error

Avoid using "it rarely works" as an absolute statement. Instead, acknowledge potential exceptions or specific conditions where it might be more effective. Provide context and avoid sweeping generalizations.

Linguistic Context

"It rarely works" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey that something typically does not achieve the desired outcome or is generally ineffective. This assessment is supported by Ludwig examples and the general tone of the Ludwig AI response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it rarely works" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is unlikely to be successful or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While versatile, context is key: more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "it seldom succeeds". Be sure to avoid overgeneralization when using the phrase, and acknowledge that there might be specific scenarios where the action or strategy is more effective. Overall, "it rarely works" is an appropriate and readily understood idiom across a variety of communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seldom succeeds

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", slightly altering the frequency.

it hardly ever functions

Substitutes "rarely works" with "hardly ever functions", focusing on functionality.

it infrequently succeeds

Replaces "rarely" with "infrequently", emphasizing the lack of frequency.

it's not usually effective

Shifts from frequency to effectiveness, broadening the scope slightly.

it doesn't often pan out

Uses the idiom "pan out" to suggest a lack of successful outcome.

it's uncommon for it to succeed

Emphasizes the uncommon nature of success, changing the sentence structure.

success is unlikely

Focuses on the low probability of success.

it's a long shot

Uses a metaphor to convey a low chance of success.

the chances are slim

Emphasizes the minimal possibility of a positive outcome.

it's improbable

Highlights the improbability of the event occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "it rarely works" in a sentence?

You can use "it rarely works" to express that a particular method or strategy is unlikely to be successful. For example, "I’ve tried that approach several times, but "it rarely works" for me."

What are some alternatives to "it rarely works"?

Alternatives include "it seldom succeeds", "it hardly ever functions", or "success is unlikely" depending on the context.

Is "it rarely works" suitable for formal writing?

While "it rarely works" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "it infrequently succeeds" or "it is not usually effective" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it rarely works" and "it never works"?

"It rarely works" implies that there's a small chance of success, while "it never works" suggests there's absolutely no possibility of success. The former is a softer, less absolute statement.