only rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only rarely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens infrequently or not often. Example: "She only rarely attends the meetings, preferring to work from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But only rarely.

The New Yorker

Ginobili dunks, but only rarely.

The New Yorker

Only rarely does Shepard meander.

The New York Times - Books

Journalists can visit only rarely.

The New Yorker

It preaches only rarely.

The New York Times - Books

Only rarely do the promised benefits materialise.

The Economist

Only rarely do advances come from neuroscience.

The New Yorker

Southern areas have freezing weather only rarely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only rarely are humans infected.

The New York Times

That still happens, but only rarely.

The Economist

Bolaño was only rarely an insightful critic.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only rarely", consider whether a more specific adverb of frequency (e.g. "occasionally", "seldom") would provide greater clarity.

Common error

While "only rarely" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less confident. In such contexts, consider using stronger, more direct alternatives like "seldom" or rephrasing to emphasize the usual case rather than the exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only rarely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action or occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express that something happens infrequently. The examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "only rarely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something happens infrequently. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. When writing, consider whether a more specific adverb might be more appropriate and avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "seldom" or "hardly ever" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly ever

Emphasizes the infrequency to a greater extent than "only rarely".

seldom

A more formal synonym, suggesting a relatively low frequency.

infrequently

A direct synonym, highlighting the lack of frequency.

not often

A simpler, more straightforward way to express the same idea.

scarcely ever

Suggests a very low probability or occurrence.

almost never

Indicates that something happens close to never.

on rare occasions

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the occurrence.

from time to time

Suggests that it does happen but not often.

once in a while

It happens at unpredictable but infrequent intervals.

uncommonly

This alternative describes things that doesn't happen often without pointing out it's predictable intervals.

FAQs

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

Use "only rarely" to indicate that something does not happen often. For example: "He only rarely visits his family", or "The company only rarely offers bonuses".

What are some alternatives to "only rarely"?

You can use alternatives like "seldom", "hardly ever", "infrequently", or "not often" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "only rarely" or "rarely"?

Both "only rarely" and "rarely" are correct. "Only rarely" can add a slight emphasis, but in most contexts, "rarely" is sufficient and more concise.

What's the difference between "only rarely" and "occasionally"?

"Only rarely" suggests a lower frequency than "occasionally". "Only rarely" indicates something happens very infrequently, while "occasionally" suggests it happens sometimes, but not often.