rare though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rare though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or exception to a statement, often implying that something is uncommon but still possible. Example: "The event was well-attended, rare though it is for such gatherings in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lincoln's example was rare, though not unique.

The New York Times - Books

This is rare though, and still has its limitations.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Arrests were rare, though, convictions even more so.

The New York Times

It's become increasingly rare, though, to witness these remarkable kills, particularly in the last two years.

Yale University

He said it was not really rare, though; it was just a trainer Bible.

The New Yorker

Such viewings are fairly rare, though, as the mountain is frequently shrouded in clouds.

Britannica

It's rare, though, that Congress exposes the Fed in this way.

Forbes

These two situations are relatively rare, though, because the thresholds did not change much relative to the median wage.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Even more rare though are drive-ins with curbside service.

Huffington Post

Such triumphs are rare, though.

The New Yorker

Genericide is rare, though.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rare though" to introduce a contrasting point that acknowledges the uncommon nature of something while still considering its possibility or existence. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "rare though" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "although uncommon" or "despite its rarity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rare though" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a clause that acknowledges a fact that contrasts with the main statement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rare though" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for introducing a contrasting point, acknowledging the uncommon nature of something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, followed by academic and scientific writing. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in very formal writing where alternative expressions may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommon though

Replaces "rare" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

infrequent though

Substitutes "rare" with another synonym that emphasizes the lack of frequency.

scarce though

Uses "scarce" instead of "rare", focusing on the limited availability of something.

seldom though it is

Rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the infrequency using "seldom".

unusual though it may be

Emphasizes the atypical nature of something using a more formal tone.

atypical though

Condenses the expression using the adjective "atypical" for brevity.

isolated though

Highlights the singularity of an occurrence, suggesting it's a one-off event.

exceptional though

Indicates that something is an exception to the norm.

an oddity though

Replaces the adjective with a noun form, "oddity", changing the grammatical structure.

limited though

Focuses on the constrained aspect of something instead of its rarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "rare though" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous one, acknowledging that something is uncommon. For example, "Success is difficult, rare though it may be".

What can I say instead of "rare though"?

You can use alternatives like "uncommon though", "infrequent though", or "scarce though" depending on the context.

Is "rare though" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rare though" is grammatically correct. It's used to introduce a contrasting point or exception, indicating that something is uncommon but still possible.

What's the difference between "rare though" and "although rare"?

"Rare though" places emphasis on the rarity of something, while "although rare" is a more straightforward way to introduce a contrasting idea. The former can sometimes sound more emphatic or literary.