more rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

"more rarely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is happening with less frequency than before. For example, "We have seen an increase in demand, though more rarely than in the previous year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or, more rarely, Say something.

The New Yorker

More rarely, an author may undercite.

The Economist

"More rarely do you see Dumpster diving".

The New York Times - Sports

It results in serous, mucoid, or more rarely bloody diarrhea.

Supportive Cancer Therapy

More rarely, they might do something totally different.

The New York Times

Occasionally, Rabalais sees a sailboat, more rarely a canoe.

The New Yorker

Telephones work intermittently, the internet even more rarely.

The Economist

Mr. Singh speaks rarely, more rarely still to the nation.

The New York Times

Viruses also, though more rarely, swap DNA with animals.

The Economist

And I even more rarely cook pork well.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

More rarely, it's a Medal of Honor plane like this.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more rarely" to effectively compare the frequency of two events or situations, especially when emphasizing the less common occurrence. For example, "While the first symptom is common, the second appears "more rarely".

Common error

Avoid using "more rarely" when you simply mean "rarely". "More rarely" implies a comparison, while "rarely" indicates something uncommon without comparing it to anything else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more rarely" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically a comparative adverb, indicating that something occurs less frequently than something else. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "more rarely" is used to indicate that something occurs less frequently compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. It is frequently found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, signaling a relatively formal register. When using "more rarely", ensure you are making a comparison, as it is not simply a synonym for "rarely". Consider using alternatives like "less often" or "infrequently" depending on the context and desired level of formality. The phrase is useful in contrasting the likelihood of different events or conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less frequently

Changes the adverb to a more straightforward synonym.

more infrequently

Replaces "rarely" with its direct antonym, maintaining the comparative structure.

less often

Provides a simpler and more common alternative to "more rarely".

on rarer occasions

Uses a prepositional phrase to express the same concept, emphasizing the specific instances.

on a less frequent basis

More formal and drawn-out way of saying "less frequently".

to a lesser extent

Shifts the focus to the degree of occurrence rather than the frequency itself.

to a smaller degree

Similar to "to a lesser extent", but with a slightly different emphasis.

in fewer instances

Highlights the reduced number of occurrences.

not as often

Expresses the concept in a negative comparison.

in a minority of cases

Frames the infrequency in terms of proportions of cases.

FAQs

How can I use "more rarely" in a sentence?

Use "more rarely" to compare the infrequency of two events or occurrences. For example, "While errors in this calculation are common, they "more rarely" lead to significant discrepancies."

What is a simple substitute for "more rarely"?

A simpler substitute for "more rarely" is "less often", which conveys the same meaning of decreased frequency in a more concise way.

Is it correct to say "more rare" instead of "more rarely"?

While "more rare" might seem grammatically similar, it is less common and stylistically less preferred than "more rarely", especially in formal writing. "Rare" is an adjective, so "more rare" is acceptable. However, "rarely" is an adverb and it modifies a verb, adjective or adverb. Therefore, "more rarely" is often better.

What's the difference between "more rarely" and "infrequently"?

"More rarely" explicitly compares the frequency of two things, indicating one happens less than the other. "Infrequently" simply means "not often" without a direct comparison.