it seems uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be rare or not frequently encountered. Example: "In my experience, it seems uncommon for people to choose that option when given a choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weird, but, it seems, not uncommon, at least in Delevingne's case: these days, the press follow her everywhere, she says, and so do the fans, alerted to her movements thanks to social media.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though the death of a loved one may seem uncommon for people in their 20s, in fact it is typically the period during which young adults will lose a grandparent.

Huffington Post

His viewpoint does not seem uncommon.

Forbes

Although possible in a few cases, exchanges of populations between different plots located from 500 m to 4 km apart seem uncommon.

Virus Research

For example, why would anyone encourage their fans not to watch a sex tape by saying, "Our tastes in the bedroom might seem uncommon to some, and possibly off-putting.

Vice

But considering the variables that go into any sexual experience, wouldn't anything seem uncommon, and possibly off-putting?" The timeline of the story also doesn't really add up.

Vice

Once an appropriate marker position was documented on the postplacement CT, marker migration seemed uncommon.

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology

It seems to be uncommon to find an ataxia without dyskinetic signs and viceversa.

BMC Pediatrics

Diminished sensitivity of cultured P falciparum has been shown in Asia 29 30 and South America, 31 but it seems to be uncommon in parasites from Africa.

British Medical Journal

It seems such anxiety is not uncommon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seems these fees are not uncommon, although £60 is at the upper end of the scale.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems uncommon" when you want to express that something isn't frequently observed or experienced but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar phrases. Vary your language for better readability.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems uncommon" when you actually mean something is "common" or frequently occurring. Double-check your intended meaning to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems uncommon" functions as an introductory expression followed by an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure, serving to preface an observation about the infrequency or rarity of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems uncommon" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey an observation about the relative infrequency or rarity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure is correct, and its usage spans across various contexts from News & Media to Science. While several alternatives exist, such as "it appears rare" or "it seems infrequent", "it seems uncommon" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse forms of communication. Remembering to use it accurately and avoid confusion with its opposite meaning will ensure effective and clear writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears infrequent

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "uncommon" with "infrequent", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

it appears rare

Substitutes "seems" with "appears" and "uncommon" with "rare", offering a slightly more direct expression of scarcity.

it seems infrequent

Substitutes "uncommon" with "infrequent", keeping the original structure and indicating a low occurrence rate.

it seems rare

Replaces "uncommon" with "rare", offering a concise way to express that something is not often seen.

it appears unusual

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "uncommon" with "unusual", suggesting a deviation from the norm.

it seems atypical

Replaces "uncommon" with "atypical", indicating that something deviates from the typical or expected.

it seems scarce

Replaces "uncommon" with "scarce", conveying that something exists in limited quantities or is hard to find.

it seems exceptional

Replaces "uncommon" with "exceptional", suggesting something is out of the ordinary and perhaps noteworthy.

it seems to be a rarity

Changes the structure to emphasize that something is a "rarity", highlighting its infrequent occurrence.

it seems an oddity

Transforms the phrase to suggest that something is an "oddity", indicating it's peculiar and not commonly encountered.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems uncommon" to express that something appears to be rare or not frequently encountered. For example, "It seems uncommon for people to choose that option."

What are some alternatives to "it seems uncommon"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears rare", "it seems infrequent", or "it seems unusual" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is uncommon" instead of "it seems uncommon"?

Yes, "it is uncommon" is a grammatically correct alternative. However, "it seems uncommon" adds a layer of observation or personal perspective.

What's the difference between "it seems uncommon" and "it seems unique"?

"It seems uncommon" suggests rarity or infrequency, while "it seems unique" implies that something is one of a kind and without parallel.