rarely found

USAGE SUMMARY

'rarely found' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not easily located or not often seen. For example: "This particular species of butterfly is rarely found in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And you rarely found it on draft.

The New York Times - Magazine

They operate in neighborhoods where medallion cabs are rarely found.

The New York Times

Shorten is rarely found at a podium alone.

The Guardian

It's a skill that is rarely found in publishing today.

The Guardian - Books

I very rarely found there were bad days with him.

The New York Times - Arts

Today, fine early ikats are rarely found on the market.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Snyder said she "rarely" found him in the office.

The New York Times

Its rulers rarely found peace, whether at home or overseas.

The Guardian

But unlike apple pie, it's rarely found in stores.

The New York Times

Brackman had surgery and rarely found the strike zone.

The New York Times - Sports

Hydrogen is rarely found as a single atom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely found", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being rarely found and where. For example, instead of saying "It is rarely found", specify "This species is rarely found in urban areas."

Common error

Avoid using "rarely found" in isolation without specifying the subject or location. Saying "They are rarely found" can be confusing if the reader doesn't know who or what 'they' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely found" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the infrequency with which something is located or discovered. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating its scarcity in a particular context. Ludwig provides various examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely found" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily used to denote the scarcity or infrequency of something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the expression maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. Alternatives like "infrequently encountered" or "seldom discovered" offer nuanced options for stylistic variation. It's important to ensure clarity by specifying the subject and context when using "rarely found" to avoid ambiguity. Given its widespread use and clear meaning, "rarely found" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequently encountered

Replaces "rarely" with "infrequently" and "found" with "encountered", emphasizing the low frequency of occurrence.

seldom discovered

Substitutes "rarely" with "seldom" and "found" with "discovered", highlighting the infrequent nature of finding something.

scarcely located

Changes "rarely" to "scarcely" and "found" to "located", focusing on the difficulty in finding something's location.

uncommonly detected

Replaces "rarely" with "uncommonly" and "found" with "detected", suitable when referring to scientific or technical contexts.

hardly ever found

Adds "ever" to emphasize the rarity, making the phrase slightly more emphatic.

not often found

Uses a more straightforward and less formal phrasing to convey the same meaning.

unlikely to be found

Expresses the rarity as a matter of probability rather than direct observation.

difficult to find

Focuses on the challenge involved in finding something, rather than just the infrequency of it being found.

in short supply

Shifts the meaning to scarcity or limited availability, implying that it is not often found because there isn't much of it.

few and far between

An idiomatic expression indicating that instances are infrequent and widely spaced out.

FAQs

What does "rarely found" mean?

The phrase "rarely found" means something is not often discovered or located. It implies scarcity or infrequency in occurrence.

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

You can use "rarely found" to describe the infrequency of something's presence. For instance: "This type of artifact is "rarely found" outside of archaeological sites."

What can I say instead of "rarely found"?

You can use alternatives like "infrequently encountered", "seldom discovered", or "scarcely located depending on the context.

Is "rarely found" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rarely found" is grammatically correct. "Rarely" is an adverb modifying the past participle "found". According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable.