rarely happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or occurrences that do not happen often. Example: "Natural disasters are rarely happening in this region, making it a safe place to live."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They're cushioned by an "us-and-them" mentality that, despite all the statistics about rape so rarely happening in dark alleyways with strangers, prevails.

Vice

Reducing the SVI by 50% is a strictly controlled scenario, rarely happening in the everyday practice.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

How rarely this happens.

The New York Times - Sports

Barbecues rarely happen.

The New York Times

But it rarely happens.

Independent

But that rarely happens.

The New York Times

This rarely happens.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps that rarely happens.

The New Yorker

Yet, it rarely happens.

The New York Times

That very rarely happens.

The Guardian - Books

"It rarely happens.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely happening", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or situation is infrequent. Providing specific examples or details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely happening" when the event is actually nonexistent. "Rarely" implies some occurrence, however infrequent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely happening" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the infrequency of an event or action. According to Ludwig, the construction is grammatically correct. Examples show it modifying different types of events in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely happening" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote that an event or situation occurs infrequently. While it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific articles, more formal alternatives might be preferable for strictly academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples illustrating its use in describing infrequent occurrences, as well as similar phrases such as "infrequently occurring" or "seldom happening". When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is infrequent to maintain clarity and avoid overstating the rarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequently occurring

Replaces "rarely" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

seldom happening

Substitutes "rarely" with "seldom", which also indicates infrequency.

not often happening

Expresses the same meaning in a more explicit and less concise way.

uncommonly occurring

Uses "uncommonly" instead of "rarely", suggesting a deviation from the norm.

scarcely happening

Emphasizes the limited occurrence of something.

hardly ever happening

Adds emphasis to the rarity of the event.

infrequently taking place

Replaces "happening" with "taking place", changing the verb.

sporadically occurring

Suggests irregular and infrequent occurrences.

unlikely to happen

Shifts from describing occurrence to focusing on probability.

exceptional occurrence

Highlights the event's infrequency by emphasizing its exceptional nature.

FAQs

What does "rarely happening" mean?

The phrase "rarely happening" means that something does not occur often; it's infrequent or uncommon. For example, "Natural disasters are "rarely happening" in this region" indicates that such events are uncommon in that specific location.

What are some alternatives to "rarely happening"?

Alternatives to "rarely happening" include phrases like "infrequently occurring", "seldom happening", or "not often happening". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "rarely happening" in formal writing?

Yes, "rarely happening" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, consider more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "infrequently occurring" or "uncommonly occurring" for enhanced formality.

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

You can use "rarely happening" to describe events, situations, or conditions that are uncommon. For example, "Technical glitches are "rarely happening" with this new software" or "Miracles are "rarely happening", but we still hope for them".