rarely work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not happen often or is not effective in achieving a desired outcome. Example: "These methods rarely work when applied to complex problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The telephones rarely work.

The Economist

I rarely work on weekends.

The New York Times

And breeding programmes rarely work.

The Economist

But these strategies rarely work.

The New York Times - Magazine

But such arrangements rarely work.

The Economist

Totally unstructured sessions rarely work.

The Economist

Anyway, personal attacks rarely work.

The New York Times

In reality, interventions rarely work.

The New York Times

Feints at dance-theater rarely work.

The New York Times - Arts

GREAT inventions rarely work first time.

The Economist

Gunshot marriages rarely work out well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the ineffectiveness of a method or strategy, use "rarely work" to convey that it occasionally yields results, but not consistently. For stronger emphasis on complete failure, consider "never work".

Common error

Avoid using "rarely work" when you mean complete failure. If something never works, using "rarely work" weakens your statement and implies occasional success where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely work" functions as a verb phrase, modifying a subject to indicate the infrequency of success or proper function. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rarely work" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is infrequently effective or successful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, science and formal business writing. While alternatives like "seldom function" or "hardly ever succeed" exist, "rarely work" provides a clear and accessible way to convey a sense of doubt or skepticism about something's efficacy. Remember to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements of ineffectiveness, and leverage its versatility in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never work

Indicates a near absence of functionality or positive outcomes.

rarely successful

Focuses on the lack of positive outcomes or accomplishments.

seldom function

Focuses on the infrequency of proper operation or utility.

infrequently operate

Emphasizes the lack of regular or consistent activity.

seldom effective

Focuses on the infrequent achievement of desired outcomes.

hardly ever succeed

Highlights the low probability of achieving a positive outcome.

hardly function

Focuses on the limited or impaired ability to operate correctly.

unlikely to be effective

Suggests a low expectation of producing the desired result.

scarcely effective

Indicates minimal effectiveness or impact.

infrequently produce results

Highlights the lack of consistent or regular output.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely work" to describe methods, strategies, or plans that are not usually successful. For example, "Scare tactics "scare tactics" rarely work on teenagers".

What are some alternatives to "rarely work"?

Alternatives include "seldom function", "infrequently operate", or "hardly ever succeed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "rarely work" or "seldom work"?

"Rarely work" and "seldom work" are similar in meaning, but "rarely" might suggest a slightly lower frequency than "seldom". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "rarely works"?

When something "rarely works", it means that it is not usually effective or successful. There might be occasional instances where it produces the desired outcome, but these are infrequent.