proportionately rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportionately rare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is rare in relation to a specific proportion or context. Example: "In this region, certain species of birds are proportionately rare compared to other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Viable/non-culturable bacteria may include non-planktonic bacteria existing in biofilms, which are common in chronic wounds; 2) Molecular detection of bacteria that were proportionately rare within the community and masked by more dominant bacteria in culture media.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This may, however, have to do with critical mass of research: there have to be proportionately more publications per affected individual for rare than common disorders, to ensure there is a body of work to build on.

Plosone

For $40, you can sample many rare and fine wines: a deal worth, proportionately, hundreds of dollars if the wines were bought separately.

The New York Times

Prices vary proportionately.

Independent

We will respond proportionately".

Independent

Just proportionately, understandably angry.

The Guardian

Other rates would fall proportionately.

The New York Times

Only Austria, Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland spent proportionately more.

The Economist

Other indexes rose proportionately less.

The New York Times

The cosmic rays are observed to be proportionately richer in heavy elements than are the stars, and they also contain more of the light elements lithium, beryllium, and boron, which are very rare in stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the rewards are proportionately great.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportionately rare", ensure that the context clearly establishes the baseline or standard against which the rarity is being measured. This will enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "proportionately rare" without specifying the point of reference for the proportion. For instance, instead of saying "This species is proportionately rare", specify "This species is proportionately rare compared to similar species in the ecosystem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportionately rare" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying the adjective "rare" to specify the degree or context of its rarity. Ludwig AI indicates that this combination is grammatically sound. The adverb "proportionately" indicates that the rarity is relative to some standard or expectation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proportionately rare" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe something that is rare in relation to a specific proportion or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and suitable for use, although its frequency is relatively low. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, and it maintains a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to clearly define the reference point for the proportion when using this phrase. Alternative phrases like "relatively uncommon" or "comparatively scarce" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively uncommon

Replaces "proportionately rare" with a more general term for something not commonly found in relation to something else.

comparatively scarce

Uses "scarce" instead of "rare" and "comparatively" instead of "proportionately", indicating a limited quantity when compared to something else.

disproportionately infrequent

Emphasizes the imbalance in frequency, suggesting that something occurs much less often than expected given the context.

correspondingly unusual

Highlights that the unusual nature is linked to a specific correspondence or relationship.

inversely common

Focuses on the inverse relationship between the standard expectation and the actual commonality of something.

correspondingly infrequent

Similar to correspondingly unusual, but directly addresses the frequency of the occurrence.

particularly limited

Indicates that the limited nature is especially notable in the context.

relatively infrequent

A simple substitution of uncommon using "infrequent" emphasizing the lower-than-average occurrence rate.

exceptionally uncommon

Replace "rare" with "uncommon" and adds a modifier to emphasize how much the adjective is present. In this case exceptionally.

unusually scarce

Replaces "rare" with "scarce" and adds a modifier to emphasize how much the adjective is present. In this case unusually.

FAQs

How can I use "proportionately rare" in a sentence?

You can use "proportionately rare" to describe something that is rare in relation to a specific proportion or context. For example: "In this region, certain species of birds are "proportionately rare" compared to other areas."

What are some alternatives to "proportionately rare"?

Alternatives include "relatively uncommon", "comparatively scarce", or "disproportionately infrequent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "proportionately rare" grammatically correct?

Yes, "proportionately rare" is grammatically correct. It combines an adverb ("proportionately") with an adjective ("rare") to modify the adjective's meaning.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "proportionately rare"?

It is appropriate to use "proportionately rare" in contexts where you want to emphasize that the rarity of something is tied to a specific proportion or comparison. This could be in scientific studies, statistical analyses, or general observations where relative frequency is important.