rarer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a comparative form of the adjective "rare," indicating that something is less common or less frequent than something else. Example: "This species of bird is rarer than the others found in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amid a steadily improving economy that has seen the highest pace of job creation in years, Republican attacks on Obama's handling of the country's finances were rarer than during the 2012 election campaign, when the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, styled himself as the candidate to turn around America's economic fate.

The Guardian

But even rarer are L-shaped streets: ones that take a 90-degree turn but maintain their street name.

The Guardian

As Shiv Sena looks to update its image, such campaigns are likely to be rarer.

The Guardian

Back and knee trouble then became persistent, his appearances on the pitch rarer.

The Guardian - Sport

But as the years have passed however, such pronouncements of imminent danger became rarer.

The Guardian

Hotels – and indeed, tourists – are even rarer in the sunny, sleepy islands beyond Jaffna, reached by causeway and free ferry, but the intrepid traveller will find a ready welcome from people cut off from the west for a generation.

The Guardian - Travel

Rare then and rarer now, no westerner had glimpsed a live saola in the wild before Pulitzer Prize finalist and nature writer William deBuys and conservation biologist William Robichaud set off to search for it in the wilds of central Laos.

The Guardian

So although I should feel worse, I don't, because it means the occasions on which my wife invites me out are becoming ever rarer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, as well as all the daft images of women running along beaches in white trousers, and the notorious but now rarer blue liquid, the message is still: Hide! Disguise your tampons as sweets, and your pads as gift-wrapped packages.

The Guardian - Opinion

So much rarer than one who knows the ropes.' He didn't say, I was lonely growing up.

The Guardian - Books

Prostitution is rarer when it is not the only alternative to destitution.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rarer", ensure you are comparing it to something specific. Avoid vague comparisons to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rarer" in contexts where a more formal or precise term like "less frequent" or "less common" would be more suitable, especially in academic or business writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rarer" is as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun by indicating a lower degree of frequency or commonality compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase functions correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rarer" functions as a comparative adjective indicating something is less common. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "less frequent" may be preferable in certain contexts. When employing "rarer", ensure a clear comparison is being made to enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less frequent

Direct synonym focusing on reduced occurrence.

less common

Highlights reduced prevalence in a general sense.

decreasingly prevalent

Emphasizes an ongoing reduction in widespread existence.

becoming scarce

Suggests a developing shortage or lack of availability.

on the decline

Indicates a downward trend in frequency or popularity.

in short supply

Highlights limited availability, often due to high demand.

thin on the ground

Informal phrase emphasizing sparse distribution.

few and far between

Emphasizes that instances are infrequent and widely separated.

vanishingly small

Focuses on the extremely low probability of something occurring.

anomalous

Highlights deviation from the norm or what is expected.

FAQs

How do I use "rarer" in a sentence?

"Rarer" is used to compare the frequency of two things, indicating one is less common than the other. For example, "Instances of kindness are rarer than acts of cruelty".

What can I say instead of "rarer"?

You can use alternatives like "less frequent", "less common", or "scarcer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more rare" instead of "rarer"?

While "more rare" is understandable, "rarer" is the standard comparative form of "rare". Using "rarer" is generally preferred for conciseness and grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "rarer" and "unique"?

"Rarer" implies something is less common compared to something else, while "unique" means something is one of a kind. Something can be rarer but not unique, and vice versa.