rarer than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarer than" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to compare the rarity of one thing to another. For example: - "Unicorns are much rarer than horses." - "Finding a four-leaf clover is rarer than winning the lottery." - "The blue diamond is rarer than the white diamond." - "Her talent is rarer than her beauty." - "I have never seen a bird with such vibrant colors before. It's rarer than any other bird I've seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Books

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thankfully, such attacks are rarer than that.

The Guardian - Tech

And it is rarer than the unicorn.

The Guardian - Books

And it's probably rarer than anything from Supreme.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This, though, is rarer than two males and a female.

The Guardian

Adagio male dancers are even rarer than good male dancers".

The New York Times - Arts

But they are rarer than they once were.

MIT Technology Review

They are rarer than the items themselves," said Taylor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Disney Hall is something rarer than a great urban street.

The New Yorker

And yet she has something even rarer than talent: humility.

The New Yorker

Another is that housing slumps are rarer than stockmarket downturns.

The Economist

Spinning all-rounders are rarer than Monty Panesar catches.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rarer than" to emphasize the exceptional scarcity of something, making sure the comparison is clear and impactful for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "rarer than" when the difference in scarcity is negligible or unclear. Ensure the objects being compared are logically comparable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarer than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing occurs or exists less frequently than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in written English. The examples provided illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

19%

Books

7%

Less common in

Arts

4%

Wiki

4%

Sport

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rarer than" is a grammatically sound and widely used comparative phrase that effectively emphasizes the scarcity or infrequency of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's appropriate across various registers, from news and media to academic and scientific contexts. When using "rarer than", ensure a clear and logical comparison to maximize its impact. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "less common than" or "more unusual than" to suit the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less common than

Focuses on reduced frequency rather than inherent rarity.

more unusual than

Emphasizes the uncommon nature instead of absolute rareness.

not as frequent as

Highlights the infrequency through a negative comparison.

less prevalent than

Stresses a lower degree of general occurrence.

outnumbered by

Conveys a sense of being fewer in number relative to something else.

a scarcity compared to

Highlights a lack of abundance in relation to something else.

infrequently found compared to

Focuses on the infrequency of discovery or encounter.

occurs less often than

Highlights the rate of occurence in relation to something else.

exists in smaller quantities than

Emphasizes reduced amounts or volumes.

seldom seen as opposed to

Underlines the infrequency of visual observation.

FAQs

How do you use "rarer than" in a sentence?

Use "rarer than" to compare the scarcity of two things, as in "Finding a genuine antique is "rarer than" finding a modern replica".

What are some alternatives to saying "rarer than"?

Instead of "rarer than", you can use phrases like "less common than", "more unusual than", or "not as frequent as" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "rarer than" in formal writing?

Yes, "rarer than" is generally appropriate in formal writing, but ensure the comparison is precise and adds value to your explanation. More formal alternatives might include "less prevalent than".

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

"Rarer than" emphasizes scarcity or infrequency, while "more unique than" emphasizes distinctiveness. Something can be unique without being rare, and vice versa. It depends on whether you want to highlight how infrequently something is found or how distinct it is from others. For example, you may say that talent is "rarer than" courage and that a fingerprint is "more unique than" any other.