rarely even know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely even know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone seldom has knowledge or awareness about something, often implying a lack of familiarity or understanding. Example: "Many people who live in urban areas rarely even know about the wildlife that exists just outside their city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In essence, it's as if the ore of our data-driven lives were being mined, refined and sold to the highest bidder, usually without our knowledge — by companies that most people rarely even know exist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Prosecutors rarely initiate criminal prosecutions; indeed, they may not even know that the crime is occurring.

Huffington Post

But he rarely played for friends; some of them didn't even know he could play an instrument.

The New York Times

His 200 plus pictures, many lost or tough to find, are rarely seen, his troubles occasionally discussed; many don't even know who he is.

Huffington Post

"Yet the success stories of the nation's social workers are rarely heard and research shows that many people don't even know what social workers really do.

The Guardian

I don't even know if you can call those phones "smart" anymore, given that their users rarely use them to access the internet.

TechCrunch

In the 70 years since its publication it has been too rarely read, or even known, though it has maintained an influence on writers and poets working in its wake.

The Guardian - Books

Do they even know?

The New York Times - Sports

Zagury correctly points out that French government officials rarely even seems to know what a startup is: "A startup is not a small company, it's an organisation in search of a scalable business model," she says.

TechCrunch

"Nobody even knows.

The New York Times

No one even knows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely even know", consider the audience's perspective and potential lack of information. Provide context or explanations to bridge the knowledge gap.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely even know" when "completely unaware" or "totally ignorant" would be more accurate. Ensure the phrase aligns with the actual degree of unfamiliarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely even know" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the infrequency and degree of knowledge or awareness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage, particularly within descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely even know" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant lack of awareness or understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media, highlighting gaps in public knowledge or awareness. While alternatives like "scarcely be aware" and "hardly ever realize" exist, "rarely even know" provides a specific emphasis on the extent of unfamiliarity. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the audience's perspective and ensure the statement accurately reflects the degree of missing knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely be aware

Emphasizes the lack of awareness, focusing on the limited perception.

hardly ever realize

Highlights the infrequency of realization or understanding.

seldom understand

Focuses on the lack of comprehension, implying infrequent understanding.

infrequently recognize

Stresses the uncommon nature of recognizing or acknowledging something.

barely acknowledge

Indicates a minimal level of recognition or awareness.

rarely be conscious of

Highlights the lack of conscious awareness or perception.

almost never grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or comprehending.

infrequently appreciate

Focuses on the lack of understanding or recognition of value.

seldom perceive

Highlights the infrequent nature of perceiving or noticing something.

be largely ignorant of

Indicates a significant lack of knowledge or awareness.

FAQs

What does "rarely even know" mean?

The phrase "rarely even know" indicates that someone seldom possesses knowledge or awareness about something, often implying a lack of familiarity or understanding. It suggests a level of ignorance that is more than just infrequent knowledge.

How can I use "rarely even know" in a sentence?

You can use "rarely even know" to describe situations where people lack awareness of something. For example: "Many people in cities "scarcely be aware" of the wildlife outside their city".

What are some alternatives to "rarely even know"?

Some alternatives to "rarely even know" include "hardly ever realize", "seldom understand", or "be largely ignorant of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "rarely know" or "rarely even know"?

While both are grammatically correct, "rarely even know" emphasizes a greater lack of awareness. "Rarely know" simply indicates infrequent knowledge, while "rarely even know" suggests a near-total absence of understanding.