rather uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not common or usual in a particular situation. For example: "The concept of alternating current was rather uncommon when it was first proposed in the 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His doctor at Columbia-Presbyterian suggested Palladium radioactive seed implants, rather uncommon in 1995, and he agreed.

The New York Times - Health

But such injuries, while serious in the short term and rather uncommon in baseball, are as a whole not considered by doctors to be harmful to players' careers.

The New York Times - Sports

Headache only triggered by coughing is a rather uncommon condition.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This would suggest that obstructive sleep apnea is rather uncommon in patients with difficult headache.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This apparent stability of arsenic sulfide, a pigment notorious for its instability, seemed rather uncommon.

Heritage Science

Already, a 30 year loan, i.e., a 30 year refinancing frequency, is rather uncommon.

Business Research

Petroselinic acid 1 is a rather uncommon fatty acid (Scheme 1).

AMB Express

All of them have rather uncommon products or business models that make them interesting.

Forbes

Backwardation is rather uncommon in agricultural commodities and is almost never seen in gold.

Forbes

Supporting end users to adapt business processes is rather uncommon in the context of large Enterprise Resource Planning systems.

Interacting with Computers

Duodenal varices (DV) resulting from intrahepatic portal hypertension are rather uncommon accounting for only 1 3%% of all cases [3].

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather uncommon" to introduce a topic or phenomenon that deviates from the expected norm, setting the stage for further explanation or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "rather uncommon" when a stronger term like "unique" or "unprecedented" is more accurate. Ensure the degree of infrequency truly warrants the qualifier "rather."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather uncommon" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to qualify the degree to which something is not common, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather uncommon" is a versatile expression used to describe something that is not frequently encountered, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and usability. As demonstrated by Ludwig's extensive collection of examples, it's suitable for both scientific and journalistic contexts. While it denotes a moderate level of infrequency, it avoids the strong implications of extreme rarity. When writing, it's vital to ensure that the term accurately reflects the degree of unusualness, avoiding exaggeration and considering more precise alternatives when necessary. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for a broad audience, provided the context warrants a description of something deviating from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively rare

Emphasizes rarity while maintaining a comparative aspect.

somewhat unusual

Highlights the quality of being not typical or ordinary.

fairly infrequent

Focuses on the lack of frequent occurrence.

moderately exceptional

Suggests deviation from the norm to a noticeable degree.

not particularly common

Uses a more verbose but equally valid way to express infrequency.

distinctly scarce

Underscores the limited availability or presence.

noticeably atypical

Draws attention to the non-standard nature.

appreciably isolated

Highlights the singularity or lack of similar instances.

infrequently encountered

Focuses on the low probability of coming across something.

remarkably peculiar

Emphasizes the strangeness or oddity, implying infrequency.

FAQs

How can I use "rather uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "rather uncommon" to describe something that is not frequently encountered or is somewhat rare. For example: "Headache only triggered by coughing is a "rather uncommon" condition."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "rather uncommon"?

Alternatives include "relatively rare", "somewhat unusual", or "fairly infrequent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rather uncommon" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather uncommon" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or scientific contexts where precise description is important. However, consider the strength of the statement and whether a stronger or more specific term might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "rather uncommon" and "very uncommon"?

"Rather uncommon" suggests a moderate degree of infrequency, while "very uncommon" implies a higher degree of rarity. The choice depends on how strongly you want to emphasize the lack of commonality.