rarely used

USAGE SUMMARY

"rarely used" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not frequently used or seen. You can use it in a sentence when talking about an object, action, or concept that is not common or popular. Example: The old typewriter in the corner of the room is rarely used now that we have computers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rarely used.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Marks is rarely used.

The New York Times - Sports

Anesthetic is rarely used.

The Washington Post

I rarely used one thereafter.

The New York Times

He rarely used her name.

The Guardian

These options are rarely used.

The New York Times - Tech

But he rarely used it.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, these laws are too rarely used.

The New York Times

"The city rarely used apostrophes in signage".

The New York Times

And pentobarbital is rarely used in surgery.

The New York Times

Rarely used Jankel armoured riot vehicles circulated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the adoption rate of a specific technology or methodology, use "rarely used" to highlight its limited acceptance or application within a particular field or industry.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely used" when describing something that is actually obsolete or completely unused. Ensure the subject is still available or theoretically applicable, even if its usage is minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely used" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun is not frequently employed or utilized. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes something that is not frequently seen or used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely used" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is not frequently employed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate infrequent usage across various contexts. Analysis of the provided examples reveals that it appears most often in news and media and science-related articles. While this phrase has a neutral register, alternatives like "seldom employed" or "infrequently utilized" can provide a more formal tone. When using "rarely used", ensure that the subject is still theoretically applicable, even if not in common practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom employed

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom" for a more formal tone, and "used" with "employed", emphasizing application.

infrequently utilized

Substitutes "rarely" with "infrequently" and "used" with "utilized", adding a touch of formality and highlighting the action of making use of something.

not often used

Uses a more direct and simpler wording compared to "rarely used".

scarcely applied

Replaces "rarely" with "scarcely" emphasizing the limited application of something.

uncommonly implemented

Replaces "rarely" with "uncommonly", and "used" with "implemented", often referring to a process or system.

hardly ever used

Emphasizes the infrequency of use by adding "ever" for a stronger effect.

not in common use

Focuses on the lack of widespread usage, rather than the infrequency of individual instances.

unfrequently leveraged

Uses "leveraged" instead of "used", implying the under-application of something with potential benefit.

sparingly utilized

Highlights the careful or restrained manner in which something is used.

almost never used

Expresses a very low frequency of usage, close to never being used.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely used" to describe something that isn't used often. For example: "That feature is "rarely used" by our customers."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "rarely used"?

Alternatives include "seldom employed", "infrequently utilized", or "not often used", depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is correct: "rarely used" or "rarely uses"?

"Rarely used" is an adjective phrase that describes something that is not often used. "Rarely uses" would be used as a verb phrase in a sentence like "He rarely uses that tool."

What's the difference between "rarely used" and "uncommonly used"?

While both indicate infrequent usage, "uncommonly used" may suggest that something is not typical or standard, while "rarely used" simply indicates that it does not happen often. So, while "uncommonly used" focuses more on deviation from the norm, "rarely used" emphasizes the infrequency.