relatively rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'relatively rare' is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it to emphasize that something is not common or widespread, but it does still occur from time to time. For example, you might say "The white whale is a relatively rare species, so it's an exciting sight when they come to the shoreline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foreclosures are relatively rare.

The New York Times

Babies became relatively rare.

The New Yorker

Most are relatively rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human babesiosis is relatively rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The feldspathoids are relatively rare.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such properties are relatively rare.

The New York Times

Thankfully that is relatively rare.

The Guardian

They are still relatively rare.

The New York Times

Whistleblowers are relatively rare, however.

The Washington Post

Yet they are relatively rare.

Nature

These situations are relatively rare.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively rare" when you want to acknowledge that something does occur, but not often. This nuanced approach adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively rare" when the subject is virtually nonexistent. This phrase implies some occurrence, so reserve it for situations where the subject appears infrequently but is known to happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively rare" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates the degree to which something is uncommon or infrequent. Ludwig AI indicates that it is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively rare" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that is not common but does exist. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. With a neutral register, it effectively adds nuance to descriptions, indicating a degree of infrequency rather than absolute absence. Its prevalence in sources like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and encyclopedias highlights its reliability. When using "relatively rare", remember that the word "relatively" does the work of comparison so avoid adding intensifiers such as "very" or "extremely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat uncommon

This alternative uses 'uncommon' instead of 'rare' and 'somewhat' to soften the degree of infrequency.

moderately scarce

Substitutes 'rare' with 'scarce' and 'relatively' with 'moderately', indicating a limited availability.

comparatively infrequent

Replaces 'rare' with 'infrequent' and 'relatively' with 'comparatively', focusing on the lack of frequency.

not especially common

This expresses the idea by negating commonality, suggesting it's less frequent than expected.

fairly unusual

Employs 'unusual' instead of 'rare' and 'fairly' to denote a slight departure from the norm.

somewhat exceptional

This shifts the focus to the atypical nature of the subject, using 'exceptional' as a substitute.

rather infrequent

Uses 'infrequent' instead of 'rare' and 'rather' as a synonym for 'relatively'.

not particularly widespread

This focuses on the limited distribution or prevalence of something.

relatively atypical

This uses the word 'atypical', indicating that something deviates from what is typical.

moderately uncommon

Replaces 'rare' with 'uncommon' while using 'moderately' as an alternative to 'relatively'.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively rare" in a sentence?

Use "relatively rare" to describe something that exists but is not common. For example, "While complications are possible, they are "relatively rare"".

What's the difference between "relatively rare" and "uncommon"?

"Relatively rare" emphasizes that something is infrequent compared to other things, while "uncommon" simply states that something is not seen often. "Relatively rare" adds a degree of comparison.

What are some synonyms for "relatively rare"?

Alternatives include "somewhat uncommon", "moderately scarce", or "comparatively infrequent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "very relatively rare"?

No, saying "very relatively rare" is redundant. The word "relatively" already implies a comparison, so adding "very" is unnecessary and grammatically awkward.