rarely have

USAGE SUMMARY

"rarely have" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize infrequency or to introduce a subject that is not commonly experienced. Example: "Rarely have I seen such dedication in a team." Alternative expressions include "seldom have" and "hardly ever have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We rarely have vegetables.

The Guardian

Exotic flavors rarely have immediate commercial appeal.

The New Yorker

"I rarely have anything inside me".

The New Yorker

But rarely have they been needed.

The New York Times - Sports

"I rarely have any free time".

The New York Times

(McCullers's adolescent characters rarely have mothers).

The New Yorker

Rarely have work songs been written down.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rarely have I felt so alone.

The New York Times

We rarely have lunch together.

The New York Times

I love holidays, but rarely have them.

Independent

Rarely have consumers been this tight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the verb 'have' agrees with the subject that follows it when using the inverted form, such as "Rarely has he..." versus "Rarely have they..."

Common error

Avoid pairing "rarely have" with other negative words like 'not' or 'never' (e.g. "I rarely don't have time"). Since 'rarely' already carries a negative frequency, adding another negative creates a confusing double negative that usually reverses the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely have" functions as an adverbial of frequency modifying the verb 'have'. As noted in Ludwig, it serves to quantify the occurrence of an action or state as occurring at a very low frequency. It is frequently employed as an auxiliary in the present perfect tense or as a main verb denoting possession or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academic

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Fiction

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "rarely have" is a highly reliable and grammatically correct phrase used to denote extreme infrequency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is ubiquitous in high-authority English publications, ranging from hard news to scientific analysis. It is most frequently used to describe a lack of resources, infrequent events or as a powerful rhetorical device when placed at the beginning of a sentence. Whether you are writing a technical report or an opinion piece, "rarely have" offers a clear and sophisticated way to communicate that something is out of the ordinary. To vary your writing, consider using alternatives like "seldom have" for a more formal tone or "hardly ever have" for more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom have

Uses a more formal adverb of frequency often found in literary or academic contexts

rarely ever have

Adds the word 'ever' for rhythmic emphasis and to underscore the rarity

hardly ever have

A more conversational and idiomatic way to express nearly zero frequency

almost never have

The most literal and emphatic way to describe an event that is nearly impossible

infrequently have

Provides a more clinical or technical tone suitable for scientific reporting

scarcely have

Emphasizes the near-total absence or insufficiency of the subject

only occasionally have

Suggests a slightly higher frequency than 'rarely', implying sporadic occurrence

rarely experience

Specifies that the 'having' refers to a sensation, event or feeling

seldom possess

Swaps the verb 'have' for a more formal synonym related to ownership

rarely encounter

Focuses on the act of meeting or finding something rather than just possession

FAQs

How do I use "rarely have" in a sentence for emphasis?

To add emphasis, place the adverb at the start of the sentence and invert the subject and verb. For example, instead of "I rarely have been so impressed", write "rarely have I been so impressed".

Is "rarely have" more formal than "seldom have"?

Actually, "seldom have" is typically considered slightly more formal or literary. Both are perfectly acceptable in professional writing, but "rarely have" is more common in modern everyday English.

What is the difference between "rarely have" and "rarely had"?

The difference is purely tense. Use "rarely have" for the present tense or present perfect (e.g. "They rarely have issues"), and use "rarely had" for the past tense (e.g. "He rarely had many friends in school").

What can I say instead of "rarely have"?

Depending on your context, you can use ""seldom have"", ""hardly ever have"", or "infrequently have".