rarely usable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely usable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently practical or applicable in a given context. Example: "The software has many features, but some of them are rarely usable in real-world scenarios."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It should be noted here that finding 61 rarely usable bits in an IP header to embed marking bits is almost impossible.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

IMU's are very noisy and rarely usable to truly assess a phone's actual orientation with any degree of real accuracy but coupled with the camera you can get far more useful results.

TechCrunch

While many of us try to take video and images with our cameraphones or webcams, the resulting footage is rarely usable and suffers from a great deal of anti-aliasing and generally messy pixels.

TechCrunch

So is the increasingly (to use a semi-word that is only rarely usable) tentacular NSA a necessary evil of the digital age, or a cancerous money sink born from the colossal intelligence competition of the Cold War?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

However, cost data is rarely available for product designers in a usable form.

International Journal of Production Economics

A few tools entail direct measurement of specific postures and movements (e.g. [ 58, 59]), but these are generally unsuitable for use by non-experts and would rarely be usable during routine workplace risk management.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Unfortunately, they are very similar in all Agrodiaetus species, possess only few usable characters and therefore have only rarely been evaluated.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Though the intent was to provide usable space in the basement, it was rarely used.

Wikipedia

Besides, assessments by the medical team were rarely based on standardized criteria, and therefore not reproducible and usable in practice [ 13].

BMC Pediatrics

As the example of incorporated cultural capital shows, the titles, university degrees and work experiences of migrants are not immediately transformable into a real resource but that, in order to be usable, they have to be recognized on an institutional and on a political level, which very rarely happens.

European Journal of Futures Research

These loci have rarely been used outside vertebrates (e.g. [ 12- 14]) and in numerous species none of the tested EPIC loci appeared usable (e.g. [ 15]).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limitations of a tool or feature, use "rarely usable" to accurately convey that it has limited practical application, avoiding exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely usable" when something is completely unusable. This phrase implies there are some limited situations where it can be used effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely usable" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe its quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is not often practical or applicable. Examples show its use in evaluating technology and data.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely usable" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression indicating that something is seldom practical or applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is best used to temper expectations and provide realistic assessments. While alternatives such as "seldom applicable" or "hardly functional" exist, "rarely usable" strikes a balance by implying occasional utility without overstating the case. Primarily found in news and scientific contexts, the phrase is suitable for various professional writing scenarios when clear and accurate communication is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely practical

Synonymous alternative, emphasizing lack of real-world application.

seldom usable

Simple swap of synonyms while maintaining the meaning.

infrequently usable

Reorders the original phrase while maintaining the meaning, emphasizing the lack of frequent usability.

almost never usable

Emphasizes the infrequency of usability to an extreme.

seldom applicable

Focuses more on the lack of applicability rather than the usability.

infrequently practical

Highlights the lack of practical use in most situations.

hardly functional

Emphasizes the deficiency in functionality more strongly.

scarcely serviceable

Implies that the item or concept is barely adequate for its intended purpose.

uncommonly employable

Suggests that the item or concept is not often put to use.

sporadically convenient

Highlights the inconsistency of the convenience provided.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely usable" to describe something that is technically functional but not practical or convenient in most situations. For example: "The feature is rarely usable due to its complex setup process."

What does "rarely usable" mean?

The phrase "rarely usable" means something is seldom practical or applicable. It suggests that while it might work in certain circumstances, those instances are infrequent.

Which is more accurate, "rarely usable" or "never usable"?

"Rarely usable" implies occasional use, while "never usable" suggests complete lack of utility. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What are some alternatives to "rarely usable"?

Alternatives include "seldom applicable", "infrequently practical", or "hardly functional", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.