rare for

USAGE SUMMARY

"rare for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is uncommon or unexpected. For example, "It is rare for a movie to be so widely acclaimed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

During my own playing days, goals were rare for me.

Huffington Post

Bankruptcy remains rare for municipalities.

The New York Times

Figures are rare for us.

The New York Times - Arts

¯\__/¯ Rare for the internet.

The Guardian - Tech

Rarities are often rare for a reason.

The New Yorker

That's very rare for a woman".

The New Yorker

Such failures are not rare for RIM.

The New York Times - Tech

Disagreement was rare for us.

The New Yorker

Quiet was rare for Hayley.

The New Yorker

Rare for a school, it's also beautiful.

The Guardian - Arts

This is rare for a director".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rare for" to highlight exceptions or unexpected qualities within a defined category. It's particularly effective when contrasting a specific instance with general expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "rare for" when describing universally uncommon events. Ensure there's a clear point of reference or group against which the rarity is being measured. Instead of "kindness is rare for humans", use "kindness is rare for politicians".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rare for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject possesses a quality or characteristic that is not commonly associated with its class or category. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rare for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the uncommon or exceptional nature of something within a specific category. It's widely employed in news and media, though also appropriate for formal and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure a clear reference point for comparison and avoid overgeneralization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both valid and useful for highlighting noteworthy deviations from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommon for

Replaces "rare" with a synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

unusual for

Another synonym replacement, emphasizing the unexpected nature of something.

not typical for

A more direct way of stating that something is not the norm.

atypical for

A more formal synonym, suggesting a deviation from the norm.

infrequent for

Focuses on the low occurrence rate of something.

exceptional for

Highlights the positive or noteworthy nature of the deviation.

out of the ordinary for

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the deviation from usual circumstances.

seldom seen in

Shifts the focus to visual observation rather than general occurrence.

a departure from the norm for

A more formal and descriptive phrase emphasizing deviation.

an anomaly in

Highlights the irregular nature of the subject.

FAQs

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

Use "rare for" to indicate that something is uncommon or unexpected within a specific category. For example, "It's "rare for a school" to also be beautiful".

What are some alternatives to "rare for"?

You can use alternatives like "uncommon for", "unusual for", or "atypical for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rare for"?

Yes, "rare for" is a correct and usable phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reliable sources.

What's the difference between "rare for" and "uncommon for"?

While both phrases indicate something is not typical, "rare for" might suggest a stronger sense of infrequency than "uncommon for". The choice often depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.