rare occurrences

USAGE SUMMARY

"rare occurrences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something uncommon, or something that doesn't happen regularly. For example, "The full moon is a rare occurrence, and usually happens only a few times a year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is one of those rare occurrences in Copenhagen where seemingly everyone is happy.

The Guardian

There was energy in the building and a sold-out crowd, two rare occurrences at Fordham.

The New York Times - Sports

Worker and student demonstrations in Bologna — not rare occurrences — did little to disrupt the rally.

The New York Times

Since their inception, the guidelines have stated that sentences should be uniform and that departures should be "rare occurrences".

The New York Times

Extreme 5-sigma events will become somewhat more commonplace near the equator, but will remain fairly rare occurrences globally.

The Guardian

It is also circumscribed to rare occurrences in remote locations, and Brazilian exports certainly do not rely on it.

The New York Times

It was one of those rare occurrences – a film about another world that felt as well as looked otherworldly.

The Guardian - Film

These rare occurrences of multiple skeletal remains have repeatedly been reinforced by dinosaur footprints as evidence of herding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two other rare occurrences in cratonic (stable) areas of the Earth's crust are the kimberlites and carbonatites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since then, gun battles — and more frequently grenade attacks and random potshots — have not been rare occurrences.

The New York Times

Hostesses say that those are rare occurrences, and that exhaustion from a life of partying is a more common hazard in their profession.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rare occurrences" to emphasize the unusual or infrequent nature of something, lending a sense of surprise or exceptionality to your writing. It is effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using "rare occurrences" in casual conversation or informal writing can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "seldom happens" or "not often" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rare occurrences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe events or instances that are not common, highlighting their infrequency. For example, 'These raids are outliers not because they are rare occurrences but because they made it into the news at all.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

53%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rare occurrences" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe events that do not happen frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting into news reports, scientific papers, and general discourse, though simpler alternatives might suit more casual settings. As the examples from Ludwig illustrate, the phrase helps to emphasize the unusual or exceptional nature of something, adding nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequent events

Focuses on the lack of frequency in events.

uncommon instances

Highlights the lack of commonality in specific instances.

isolated cases

Emphasizes the separation and singularity of the events.

exceptional situations

Stresses the deviation from the norm in specific situations.

seldom seen events

Highlights the infrequency with which events are observed.

sporadic instances

Focuses on the scattered and irregular nature of the occurrences.

unusual happenings

Emphasizes the atypical nature of the happenings.

anomalous events

Highlights the deviation from the expected or normal pattern.

out-of-the-ordinary incidents

Focuses on incidents that fall outside the realm of typical experiences.

once-in-a-blue-moon events

An idiomatic expression emphasizing extreme rarity.

FAQs

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

"Rare occurrences" can be used to describe events that don't happen often, such as "Maternal deaths in childbirth are now "rare occurrences" in high-income countries" or "Spontaneous outbreaks of group nakedness that once seemed renegade on many American campuses are no longer "rare occurrences"".

What are some synonyms for "rare occurrences"?

Some alternatives include "infrequent events", "uncommon instances", or "isolated cases". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "rare occurrence" or "rare occurrences"?

Use "rare occurrence" when referring to a single instance of something infrequent. Use "rare occurrences" when discussing multiple instances or the general phenomenon of infrequent events.

What's the difference between "rare occurrences" and "unusual events"?

"Rare occurrences" emphasizes the infrequency of something happening, while "unusual events" highlights the atypical or unexpected nature of the event, regardless of how often it happens. Although they are very similar, the former describes that it does not happen often, while the latter says that it is weird or not the norm.