rarely talks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely talks" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who does not speak often or engages in conversation infrequently. Example: "She rarely talks during meetings, preferring to listen instead." Alternative expressions include "seldom speaks" and "hardly ever talks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Steinbrenner rarely talks about his two bans.

The New Yorker

He rarely talks to the media.

The Guardian - Music

Greinke rarely talks publicly about his ordeal.

The New York Times - Sports

Maravich, however, rarely talks about his father.

The New York Times - Sports

He rarely talks shop with other police officers.

The New York Times

Brusque and impatient, she rarely talks to congressmen.

The Economist

But the sector rarely talks about failure in public.

The Guardian

He rarely talks of his financial sector prosecutions anymore.

The New York Times

She rarely talks to the audience during her gigs.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We rarely talked about it.

The New York Times

He rarely talked about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rarely talks" to create intrigue around a character. A person who doesn't speak often might have valuable insights when they do, drawing readers in.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the infrequency implied by "rarely talks". It suggests infrequent speech, not complete silence. For complete silence, consider "never talks" or "remains silent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely talks" functions as a descriptor, indicating the frequency of someone's speech. Ludwig examples confirm its role in characterizing individuals or entities based on their verbal communication habits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely talks" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone who speaks infrequently. According to Ludwig, it appears most often in news and media contexts. When using "rarely talks", it's important to consider the specific context and intended nuance. Alternatives like "seldom speaks" or "doesn't talk much" can provide similar meanings but may carry different connotations. Therefore, choosing the right phrase can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom speaks

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", indicating infrequent speaking.

hardly ever speaks

Uses "hardly ever" to emphasize the infrequency of speaking.

doesn't talk much

Employs a more informal and direct way of saying someone doesn't talk often.

infrequently speaks

Replaces "rarely" with the more formal "infrequently".

scarcely talks

Uses "scarcely" as a synonym for "rarely", suggesting minimal talking.

is not very talkative

Describes a person's general tendency not to talk.

keeps silent

Indicates a deliberate choice not to speak.

is reserved in speech

Highlights a cautious or restrained approach to speaking.

avoids conversation

Suggests an active effort to steer clear of talking.

is uncommunicative

Describes a lack of willingness to communicate verbally.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely talks" to describe someone who doesn't speak often. For example, "She rarely talks during meetings, preferring to listen instead".

What can I say instead of "rarely talks"?

You can use alternatives like "seldom speaks", "hardly ever speaks", or "doesn't talk much" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rarely talks" or "rarely talk"?

"Rarely talks" is correct when referring to a singular subject (he/she/it). "Rarely talk" is correct when referring to a plural subject (they/we).

What's the difference between "rarely talks" and "never talks"?

"Rarely talks" implies that someone speaks infrequently, while "never talks" means someone does not speak at all. "Rarely talks" suggests some communication, whereas "never talks" indicates complete silence.