rarely succeeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely succeeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations or actions that do not often achieve success. Example: "In many cases, relying solely on luck rarely succeeds in achieving long-term goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Statistically it rarely succeeds," he said.

The New York Times

So when it tries to get zeitgeisty, it rarely succeeds.

The Guardian

Art rarely succeeds when it sets out to fix anything beyond the artist's own, subjective needs.

The New York Times - Arts

He rarely succeeds, but it is fun to watch him do his best.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet a biography that is all bias and no reflection rarely succeeds.

The New York Times - Books

Chalkie takes his job correspondingly seriously, and does his best not to be caught, though he rarely succeeds.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They rarely succeed.

The Economist

These lawsuits rarely succeed.

The Economist

They have rarely succeeded.

The Guardian - Books

I fear I rarely succeeded.

The New Yorker

SIMPLE solutions to complex problems rarely succeed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider pairing "rarely succeeds" with a contrasting statement that highlights the effort or persistence involved despite the low success rate.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely succeeds" when the subject actually never succeeds. "Rarely" implies occasional success, so ensure the term accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely succeeds" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb. The adverb "rarely" modifies the verb "succeeds", indicating the infrequency of the action. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, stating that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rarely succeeds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the infrequent achievement of a desired outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and suitable for use in written English. Its presence across diverse sources, including news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicates its broad applicability. While alternatives like "seldom achieves success" or "hardly ever works" can offer nuanced variations, "rarely succeeds" remains a versatile and reliable choice. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure that the context is clear and the degree of infrequency is accurately represented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom achieves success

This alternative uses 'seldom' instead of 'rarely', offering a slightly more formal tone.

is not often successful

This phrase is a more descriptive and straightforward way of expressing the infrequent nature of success.

hardly ever works

This phrase uses 'hardly ever' to convey infrequency, focusing on the functionality aspect.

meets with little success

This alternative rephrases the idea to focus on the lack of positive results.

only occasionally works out

This alternative is more casual, focusing on the occasional positive outcome.

fails more often than it succeeds

This rephrasing highlights the higher frequency of failure compared to success.

infrequently triumphs

Replaces 'rarely' with 'infrequently' and 'succeeds' with 'triumphs', increasing formality and emphasizing victory.

unlikely to prevail

Emphasizes the improbability of overcoming challenges and being victorious.

scarcely prospers

Employs 'scarcely' and 'prospers' for a more sophisticated and less common expression of limited success.

has a low probability of success

This version uses more technical language to highlight the statistical unlikelihood of succeeding.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely succeeds" to describe an action or strategy that doesn't often achieve its intended outcome. For example: "Trying to please everyone "rarely succeeds"."

What are some alternatives to "rarely succeeds"?

Alternatives include "seldom achieves success", "hardly ever works", or "infrequently triumphs", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it better to say "rarely succeeds" or "rarely succeed"?

"Rarely succeeds" is used when the subject is singular, while "rarely succeed" is used with plural subjects. For instance: "An attempt to change the rules "rarely succeeds"", but "Attempts to change the rules "rarely succeed"".

What's the difference between "rarely succeeds" and "occasionally succeeds"?

"Rarely succeeds" indicates that something happens infrequently, whereas "occasionally succeeds" suggests it happens sometimes but not regularly. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of frequency.