rare event

USAGE SUMMARY

'rare event' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event that is not likely to happen or that happens infrequently. For example: "The solar eclipse was a rare event observed by many people around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a rare event.

The New York Times

First, it's a rare event.

The New York Times

She smiles — a rare event.

The New Yorker

She had been crying, a rare event.

The New Yorker

This is not a rare event.

The New York Times

"This is a really rare event.

The Guardian - Business

"It's a rare event," she said.

The New York Times - Style

"It's still a rare event," he added.

The New York Times

Discussion: Fossilization is a rare event.

University of California, Berkeley

This is a fairly rare event.

Cornell University

Progressive collapse of building structures is a relatively rare event.

Case Studies in Structural Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rare event", consider whether a more specific term might provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "a rare event in the stock market", you might say "a black swan event".

Common error

Avoid using "rare event" when the occurrence is simply unusual or unexpected, but not statistically improbable. Using stronger language can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rare event" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "Fossilization is a "rare event"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rare event" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe occurrences that are infrequent or statistically improbable. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in science, news and media, and academic settings, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register. While synonyms like "unique occurrence" or "infrequent incident" exist, "rare event" provides a readily understood and versatile option. When using this phrase, ensure that the described occurrence is indeed statistically rare to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unique occurrence

Replaces "event" with "occurrence" and emphasizes the singularity of the event.

uncommon phenomenon

Substitutes "rare" with "uncommon" and "event" with "phenomenon", suggesting a less frequent natural occurrence.

infrequent incident

Replaces "rare" with "infrequent" and "event" with "incident", indicating something that doesn't happen often.

isolated case

Emphasizes the separation and singularity of the event, making it distinct and not part of a pattern.

exceptional circumstance

Highlights the unusual and deviating nature of the event from normal circumstances.

scarce happening

Uses "scarce" instead of "rare" and "happening" instead of "event", indicating limited occurrence.

out-of-the-ordinary situation

Expresses that the event deviates from the normal or typical.

unprecedented situation

Indicates that the event has never happened before.

seldom seen occurrence

Stresses the infrequency and visual aspect of the event.

once-in-a-lifetime experience

Highlights the unlikelihood of the event happening again in one's life.

FAQs

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

You can use "rare event" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For example: "A total solar eclipse is a "rare event"." or "Snow in the desert is a "rare event"".

What's a good synonym for "rare event"?

Synonyms for "rare event" include "uncommon occurrence", "unique phenomenon", or "infrequent incident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rare event" formal or informal?

"Rare event" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What is the difference between a "rare event" and an "unusual event"?

While both describe occurrences that are not typical, a "rare event" implies a lower frequency or probability than an "unusual event". An "unusual event" might be unexpected, but a "rare event" is statistically improbable.