rarely heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently encountered or mentioned. Example: "The song is a hidden gem, often overlooked and rarely heard on the radio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I've rarely heard such twaddle".

The Guardian - Opinion

The average reader was rarely heard from.

The Guardian - Books

From the sideline, I rarely heard Carroll.

The New York Times - Sports

Their voices are too rarely heard".

The New York Times

Mr. Mozilo is rarely heard from these days.

The New York Times

Arab women's poetic voices are still too rarely heard.

The Guardian - Books

But alternative rock is rarely heard on the radio.

The New York Times

'Flann' is an old Irish name now rarely heard".

The Guardian - Books

She received a round of applause, rarely heard in Parliament.

The New York Times

I have rarely heard an arena cheer louder.

The New Yorker

Stillness is a quality rarely heard in popular music.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely heard", consider whether you want to emphasize the lack of auditory experience or the infrequency of mention. Choose a synonym if the context leans more towards one aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely heard" when you mean something is impossible to hear. "Rarely heard" implies infrequency, not impossibility. For instance, instead of saying "Silence is rarely heard in a city", which is not correct, say "Silence is a rare occurrence in a city."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely heard" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the verb "heard". It indicates the infrequency with which something is experienced aurally or mentioned, aligning with Ludwig AI's grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Music

10%

Books

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely heard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes something not often perceived aurally or mentioned. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves an adverbial function, modifying verbs to indicate infrequency. Its neutral register renders it suitable for diverse contexts, predominantly in news, media, music, and books. When employing "rarely heard", consider alternative phrases like "seldom audible" or "infrequently mentioned" for subtle shifts in meaning. Ensure its proper usage by avoiding its application when referring to impossibilities rather than infrequency, maintaining clarity in your writing. Ultimately, "rarely heard" is a versatile phrase for expressing the uncommon nature of sensory or informational experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom audible

Replaces "heard" with "audible", focusing on the capacity to be heard rather than the act of hearing.

infrequently mentioned

Shifts the focus from auditory experience to frequency of mention, broadening the context.

scarcely voiced

Emphasizes the lack of verbal expression, implying that something is not often spoken about.

uncommonly expressed

Highlights the unusual nature of something being communicated, whether verbally or otherwise.

not often aired

Specifically refers to media or public broadcasting, where something is not frequently played or discussed.

seldom brought up

Focuses on the act of raising a topic in conversation or discussion, indicating it's not a common subject.

hardly ever spoken of

Highlights the infrequent nature of something being talked about, using a more descriptive phrase.

unfrequently listened to

Directly addresses the act of listening, emphasizing that something is not often heard.

not usually detected

Shifts the focus to detection or awareness, implying that something is difficult to perceive.

sporadically perceived

Emphasizes the irregular or occasional nature of something being sensed or understood.

FAQs

What does "rarely heard" mean?

The phrase "rarely heard" means something is not often heard or mentioned. It indicates infrequency rather than complete absence.

What can I say instead of "rarely heard"?

You can use alternatives like "seldom audible", "infrequently mentioned", or "scarcely voiced" depending on the context.

Is "rarely heard" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rarely heard" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English. It follows standard grammatical rules.

How can the phrase "rarely heard" be used in a sentence?

You can use "rarely heard" to describe sounds, opinions, or pieces of information. For example, "That song is a hidden gem, often overlooked and "rarely heard" on the radio".