rarely enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that has occurred but not very frequently. For example: "I was able to find the item in the store, but rarely enough, they didn't have my size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

GOOD intentions are rarely enough.

The Economist

Beautiful landscapes alone are rarely enough to satisfy travelers.

The New York Times - Travel

Circumstantial evidence is rarely enough to establish guilt.

The Economist

This is rarely enough to calm local opponents.

The Economist

Nowadays, good food and service are rarely enough.

The New York Times

Woozy charm is rarely enough to carry a book.

The New York Times - Magazine

But either way, these factors are rarely enough to allow the candidate to overcome the deficit.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, supplementary money from state taxes is rarely enough to make up the difference.

The Economist

Petkovic's superior firepower (and at times, strategy) were rarely enough to break through Wozniacki's consistent play.

The New York Times

But entrepreneurial drive alone is rarely enough to keep them growing; they need contacts.

The New York Times

But tax breaks are rarely enough of an incentive, many executives say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what is insufficient or infrequent. For example, "Opportunities to present are rarely enough to develop strong public speaking skills."

Common error

Avoid using "rarely enough" when you mean "never" or "almost never". "Rarely enough" implies that something does happen, albeit infrequently, while "never" indicates it doesn't occur at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying that something occurs infrequently and, as a result, is insufficient or inadequate. It modifies a verb or adjective to express a deficiency in frequency or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rarely enough" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial modifier that conveys the idea of something being insufficient due to its infrequent occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using "rarely enough", ensure clarity regarding what is insufficient and avoid using it interchangeably with "never enough", which implies a complete absence rather than infrequency. Related phrases, such as "hardly enough" or "scarcely sufficient", can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequently enough

Direct synonym highlighting the lack of frequency.

not often enough

More explicit and less concise way of conveying the same meaning.

rarely sufficiently

Similar meaning, but places emphasis on the 'sufficient' aspect rather than general occurrence.

seldom adequate

Replaces "enough" with "adequate", shifting focus slightly to the quality of being sufficient.

barely enough

Highlights the marginal sufficiency rather than the infrequency.

hardly enough

Focuses on the barely sufficient quantity or degree rather than the frequency.

occasionally enough

Indicates something happens sometimes, offering a slightly higher frequency than "rarely enough".

unusually enough

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the occurrence rather than the frequency.

thinly enough

Implies a lack of substance or support, not just frequency.

virtually enough

Suggests something is almost sufficient, but not quite.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely enough" to express that something is not sufficient due to its infrequent occurrence. For example, "The funding provided is "rarely enough" to cover all the necessary research expenses".

What are some alternatives to "rarely enough"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hardly enough", "scarcely sufficient", or "infrequently enough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rarely enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rarely enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something happens infrequently and is therefore insufficient. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

What is the difference between "rarely enough" and "never enough"?

"Rarely enough" indicates that something occurs occasionally but is still insufficient, while "never enough" implies that something is always insufficient, regardless of how often it occurs.