rarely obtainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely obtainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to acquire or find, indicating that it is not commonly available. Example: "The rare artifact was rarely obtainable, making it highly sought after by collectors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While perfection is rarely obtainable on earth or Wall Street, the returns of our "buy list" and "best buy list" suggest our relentless pursuit of something better is paying dividends.

Forbes

This causes serious problems for RNA sampling from human tissues, especially in the brain, where fresh samples are rarely obtainable.

BMC Genomics

Don't claim you can do double backflips in the halfpipe or other obscure tricks which are rarely obtainable.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, when the present study was presented to the prison administration, it was underlined that according to their experience, a participation rate of around 25-30% might be obtainable, but rarely more.

BMC Psychiatry

The true evolutionary tree for a set of species is rarely known, so inferring it from obtainable information is of great interest.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

They cannot be obtained surgically or, if obtainable, only with extremely sophisticated craniofacial procedures.

Huffington Post

People with money are rarely happier than those without all but the most basic needs, which are easily obtainable from charity services if needed.

WikiHow

Analyzing animals' behavior in relation to environmental characteristics may enable estimation of a confidence metric for each position, which is rarely available with recorded ARGOS data (ARGOS location of class A,B and Z for example) and not obtainable with the speed filter+interpolation methods.

Plosone

It is not obtainable.

The Guardian

"It's obtainable," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"By and large, 200 is easily obtainable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarely obtainable", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the subject difficult to acquire. For example, specify if it's due to scarcity, cost, or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely obtainable" when the subject is merely uncommon. Use it only when access is genuinely limited and difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely obtainable" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun as being difficult to acquire or access. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable, suggesting its acceptance in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rarely obtainable" describes something that is difficult to acquire, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness. While used across various contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki, its usage is infrequent, making it a relatively rare expression. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the reason for the difficulty in obtaining the subject. Consider alternatives like ""seldom attainable"" or ""hardly accessible"" to better suit the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom attainable

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", maintaining a similar sense of infrequency.

infrequently acquired

Substitutes both words with synonyms that emphasize the lack of frequent acquisition.

hardly accessible

Focuses on the difficulty in accessing the item or goal.

scarcely procurable

Uses more formal synonyms to indicate scarcity and difficulty in obtaining.

uncommonly available

Highlights the uncommon nature of the item's availability.

not easily secured

Emphasizes the effort required to secure or obtain the item.

difficult to come by

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is not easy to find or obtain.

sporadically sourced

Highlights the inconsistent nature of sourcing or obtaining the item.

limited in procurement

Focuses on the limited possibilities for procurement.

unusual to acquire

Highlights the unusual circumstances required to acquire the item.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely obtainable" to describe something that is difficult to acquire or find, indicating that it is not commonly available. For example: "The original manuscript is "rarely obtainable", making it a prized possession for collectors."

What can I say instead of "rarely obtainable"?

Alternatives to "rarely obtainable" include "seldom attainable", "infrequently acquired", or "hardly accessible", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "rarely obtainable and expensive"?

It might be, but it is not necessarily redundant if the expense is not the only reason why it is "rarely obtainable". Other factors such as scarcity can contribute to the difficulty in obtaining it.

What is the difference between "rarely obtainable" and "unobtainable"?

"Rarely obtainable" means something is difficult to get but still possible, while "unobtainable" signifies it is impossible to get. So, there's a significant difference in the degree of difficulty.