moderately uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not frequently encountered, but not entirely rare either. Example: "While many people enjoy popular music, jazz remains moderately uncommon among the younger generation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a somewhat uncommon response from a CEO, but it makes perfect sense for anyone even moderately familiar with Linux.

TechCrunch

In a world where engineers truly are the new rock stars and markets continue to be moderately funded, it is not uncommon to witness or experience the engineering "prima donna effect".

TechCrunch

With regard to the sample size, we chose a Hazard Ratio of 2, which is not uncommon for studies in (moderately) comparable populations.

BMC Cancer

LETS have been found to support alternative livelihoods under quite uncommon conditions, and contribute indirectly to eco-localization by moderately facilitating informal resale, repair, and sharing of commercially produced goods, although their burdensome management and confinement to small memberships limit their usefulness.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Thus, those patients who had the uncommon allele at TNF+488 and TNF−859 were more likely to present with a moderately differentiated (Grade 2) tumour than those patients without the uncommon allele.

British Journal of Cancer

Moderately heavy.

The New York Times - Style

"Moderately prosperous.

The New Yorker

"Moderately so".

The New Yorker

Ecology: Uncommon.

University of California, Berkeley

People feel moderately hopeful.

The New Yorker

"Moderately and responsibly".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moderately uncommon" when you want to convey that something is not frequently encountered, but also not entirely rare. This is particularly useful when precision is needed, and you want to avoid exaggerating the rarity.

Common error

Avoid using "moderately uncommon" when you want to emphasize the uniqueness or exceptional nature of something. It's best suited for situations where you need to be factual and measured in your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately uncommon" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "moderately" modifies the adjective "uncommon", indicating a degree of infrequency that is not extreme. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing it describes the extent of something being rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moderately uncommon" is a phrase used to describe something that is not frequently encountered but also not entirely rare. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It functions as an adverb-adjective combination, providing a nuanced assessment of frequency. It fits a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Be mindful of overstating rarity and choose precise alternatives like "somewhat unusual" or "fairly rare" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unusual

Indicates a slight deviation from the norm; emphasizes the unusual nature to a limited extent.

fairly rare

Highlights the scarcity of something, suggesting it's not often encountered.

relatively infrequent

Focuses on the lack of frequent occurrence, presenting it as a comparative assessment.

slightly atypical

Points out a minor departure from the typical or standard.

mildly exceptional

Suggests something is notably different but not to a great degree.

reasonably scarce

Emphasizes limited availability or presence.

moderately exceptional

Highlights a degree of exceptionality that is not extreme.

somewhat scarce

Indicates that something is not abundant, but not exceedingly rare.

fairly atypical

Denotes a deviation from what is considered typical, but not dramatically so.

relatively unusual

Implies that something isn't common, but not completely unheard of.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "moderately uncommon" to describe something that occurs infrequently but isn't extremely rare. For example, "While seeing a professional cellist on the subway is not unheard of, it is a "moderately uncommon" sight."

What are some alternatives to saying "moderately uncommon"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unusual", "fairly rare", or "relatively infrequent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "moderately uncommon" the same as "slightly rare"?

While similar, "moderately uncommon" suggests a slightly higher degree of infrequency than "slightly rare". The best choice depends on the context and the level of precision you need.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "moderately uncommon"?

It might be inappropriate if you are trying to emphasize extreme rarity or uniqueness. In such cases, phrases like "extremely rare" or "one of a kind" would be more suitable.