rarely ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely ever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something which generally does not happen or occurs very infrequently. For example: "I rarely ever go out for dinner on weeknights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Difference is rarely ever just difference".

Independent

It is rarely ever dull.

The New York Times

We're rarely ever just normal people.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Davis Cup is rarely ever convenient.

The New York Times - Sports

Truer words were rarely ever tweeted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You rarely ever see pictures of him slouching.

The New York Times

Real-world problems rarely ever have textbook solutions.

The New York Times

Police, they said, would rarely ever treat their reports seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

So you rarely ever get a really fulsome look at any politician".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I never hear my playing partner's clubs rattling, and I rarely ever hear the gallery applauding.

The New York Times - Sports

Andy I rarely ever agree with Mayor Bloomberg, but I'm behind him on this one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider rewording sentences with "rarely ever" to use "almost never" or "hardly ever" if the context allows, as these alternatives may be more immediately understood.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely ever" in conjunction with other negative constructions within the same clause, as this can create a confusing double negative. For example, instead of saying "I don't rarely ever go there", say "I "rarely" go there."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely ever" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the infrequency of an action or event. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and widespread use, as demonstrated by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rarely ever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that conveys the infrequency of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and can add emphasis to the rarity being described. While alternatives like "hardly ever" or "seldom" exist, "rarely ever" maintains its place in both casual and formal contexts. Just remember to avoid double negatives for clarity and consider if a simple ""rarely"" would suffice. The prevalence of the phrase across news, wikis, and scientific sources indicates its versatility and continued relevance in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly ever

Emphasizes the infrequency of something occurring; nearly never.

almost never

Indicates that something is close to never happening.

scarcely ever

Similar to "hardly ever", indicating something happens only just, if at all.

seldom

A more formal way of saying "not often".

infrequently

Highlights the lack of frequency in a more direct manner.

not often

A straightforward way of expressing that something does not occur frequently.

not frequently

Similar to 'not often' but can emphasize a consistent lack of frequency.

uncommonly

Emphasizes the unusual or atypical nature of something occurring.

on rare occasions

Highlights that something happens only at specific, infrequent times.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression for something that happens very rarely.

FAQs

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

"Rarely ever" is used to describe something that almost never happens. For example, "I "rarely ever" eat fast food because it's unhealthy."

What are some alternatives to "rarely ever"?

Alternatives include "hardly ever", "seldom", "infrequently", or "almost never". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your context.

Is it better to use "rarely" or "rarely ever"?

While both are grammatically correct, "rarely ever" adds emphasis. Using just "rarely" is often more concise and sufficient, but "rarely ever" can be used to underscore the infrequency.

What's the difference between "rarely ever" and "never"?

"Never" means something does not happen at all, whereas "rarely ever" means something almost never happens, but there might be very few exceptional occasions. "I "rarely ever" miss a deadline" implies that I might have missed one or two in the past, while "I never miss a deadline" means that I have a perfect record.