rarely cited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely cited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a source, work, or reference that is infrequently referenced or mentioned in academic or professional contexts. Example: "Despite its significance, the study remains rarely cited in contemporary research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was rarely cited, almost never discussed.

The New York Times - Arts

It also points to a rarely cited reason why the South China Sea matters.

The Economist

She also uses a part of the body that's too rarely cited in cookbooks: her ears.

The New York Times - Food

Their statistics, generally, were so meager that their broadcaster rarely cited them.

The New York Times - Sports

Freight is rarely cited in rows over the effects of rail privatisation in the 1990s.

The Economist

Bush v. Gore is rarely cited or applied in other situations.

The New York Times - Books

Vietnamese universities do little original research, and are rarely cited by scientific scholars, says a recent UN-financed study.

The Economist

A veteran of movies and TV, Redman is a journeyman, dependably funny but rarely cited as one of the greats.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those who complain about the prevalence of silly and outdated rules rarely cite specific examples.

The New York Times

Lacy MacAuley, a 32-year-old media team member for Occupy DC, a group that is currently camped out in McPherson Square, says that people rarely cite the president as a cause for being there.

The New York Times

Very few outsiders actually bother to find out why the city is the way it is and those making comparisons with their own cities or regions rarely cite any actual research.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic or professional literature, use "rarely cited" to objectively indicate the frequency with which a particular source is referenced. For instance, "This groundbreaking study is useful, but it is "rarely cited" in current research."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the infrequency of citations. Verify citation counts or use qualifying language such as "less frequently cited" if the rarity is not definitively proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely cited" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., study, theory, author) to indicate that it is not frequently referenced. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rarely cited" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that describes sources or ideas which are infrequently referenced. According to Ludwig, it is most often found in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While its meaning is straightforward, it's important to avoid overstating the rarity and to consider alternative phrasings like "infrequently referenced" or "seldom mentioned" for nuanced communication. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness and widespread application of this phrase in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommonly cited

A straightforward alternative to "rarely cited" using a different adverb.

infrequently referenced

Changes the verb to "referenced" maintaining a similar meaning of not being cited often.

seldom mentioned

Replaces "cited" with "mentioned" emphasizing the lack of verbal or written acknowledgment.

not often quoted

Focuses on the lack of direct quotations from the source.

scarcely referred to

Uses "scarcely referred to" to indicate infrequent reference.

under-cited

A more concise term to describe something that is not cited enough.

poorly referenced

Focuses on the quality of references, suggesting a lack of proper citation.

negligibly cited

Indicates an almost nonexistent level of citation.

minimally acknowledged

Emphasizes the lack of recognition or acknowledgement through citation.

infrequently invoked

Implies that the source is not often used or called upon as evidence or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "rarely cited" in a sentence?

You can use "rarely cited" to describe a source or idea that is not often referenced. For example, "Despite its potential, this theory is "rarely cited" in modern research."

What is a synonym for "rarely cited"?

Synonyms for "rarely cited" include "infrequently referenced", "seldom mentioned", or "under-cited", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "rarely cited" or "not frequently cited"?

"Rarely cited" is generally more concise and stylistically preferred over "not frequently cited". Both are grammatically correct, but "rarely cited" is more common in academic and professional writing.

What does it mean when a study is "rarely cited"?

When a study is "rarely cited", it suggests that it has not been widely recognized or used by other researchers in the field, possibly due to its limited scope, controversial findings, or lack of accessibility. Consider if it has been "infrequently referenced" because of a flaw in methodology.