rare situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rare situations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe circumstances that occur infrequently or are not common. Example: "In rare situations, we may need to adjust our policies to better serve our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In those rare situations, surgery is called for.

The New York Times - Science

But he warns that the bills cover very rare situations and could be overused.

The New York Times

But the access issues that arose at the Barnes can emerge in rare situations like this, several tax lawyers said.

The New York Times - Arts

Younger infants should be kept out of the sun at all times; use sunscreen on them only in rare situations when sun exposure is unavoidable.

The New York Times - Health

In rare situations, the national Red Cross gives local chapter loans to stay in business, but the Westchester chapter has not yet requested any loan, Ms. Goldburg said.

The New York Times

The Air Force said that, in rare situations, its pilots could shoot down hijacked commercial airliners posing an imminent threat to American cities.

The New York Times

I worked on the laser fusion machine, and it was one of those rare situations where you're an engineer with no budget constraints.

The New York Times

The agency will still authorize the State Department to process applications in rare situations — such as medical emergencies, threats to personal safety or some adoptions.

The New York Times

"In rare situations, when the hotel hasn't yet released their next year's rates, we can sometimes guarantee the same price as the current year's rates, avoiding (typically) a 10% increase".

The Guardian - Travel

"In our opinion there may be rare situations where the law will be enacted on property in Jerusalem that had been owned by Arabs living in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

Independent

This is one of those rare situations where extremists in one party have become untethered and are unleashing a wrecking ball on our commonweal — and it'll get worse if the debt limit isn't extended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rare situations", consider providing context to explain why these situations are infrequent. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the infrequency of "rare situations". If the situations are more common than implied, it weakens your credibility and the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rare situations" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It typically describes circumstances that do not occur frequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

51%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rare situations" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe infrequent or uncommon circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is found across various contexts such as News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "uncommon circumstances" and "infrequent events" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide context when using this phrase and avoid overstating the rarity to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommon circumstances

Replaces "situations" with the broader term "circumstances" emphasizing the unusual nature of the events.

infrequent events

Substitutes "situations" with "events", highlighting the low frequency of occurrence.

exceptional cases

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, portraying the situations as exceptions to a general rule.

isolated instances

Emphasizes the separateness and lack of connection to other similar occurrences.

unprecedented circumstances

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior occurrence, indicating a unique situation.

extraordinary circumstances

Emphasizes the unusual and remarkable nature of the situations.

atypical scenarios

Replaces "situations" with "scenarios", stressing that these are not the usual pattern.

anomalous events

Highlights the deviation from what is standard, normal, or expected.

peculiar instances

Emphasizes the odd or strange nature of the occurrences.

out-of-the-ordinary events

Highlights the deviation from routine, suggesting unusual or noteworthy happenings.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "rare situations" in a sentence?

To effectively use "rare situations", provide specific examples or context that illustrate the uncommon nature of the circumstance. For instance, "In "rare situations", such as medical emergencies, the agency may expedite the application process."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "rare situations"?

You can use alternatives like "uncommon circumstances", "infrequent events", or "exceptional cases" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "rare situations" or "uncommon situations"?

Both "rare situations" and "uncommon situations" are grammatically correct. "Rare" suggests a lower frequency than "uncommon", so choose the word that most accurately reflects the infrequency you are describing.

What makes a situation qualify as one of the "rare situations"?

A situation qualifies as one of the "rare situations" when it deviates significantly from the norm, occurs infrequently, and is often unexpected or unusual.