somewhat uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not frequently encountered or is rare, but not entirely absent. Example: "While many people enjoy classical music, opera is somewhat uncommon in today's popular culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It was a thriving mix, even ethnically, which is somewhat uncommon at a ski area.

The New York Times

He sees most global markets as fully valued, a somewhat uncommon situation.

The New York Times

He pointed to the little furrow where the number sense was supposed to be situated, and observed that his had a somewhat uncommon shape.

The New Yorker

It's a somewhat uncommon move that could yield a higher payout than the $13.65-a-share that Michael S. Dell and the investment firm Silver Lake are offering.

The New York Times

Anal fistula is a somewhat uncommon condition.

Insights into Imaging

In a somewhat uncommon move for Apple, the app will continue to be made available on the App Store and will be made free later today.   .

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The four selected species are somewhat rare to uncommon (especially C. aureofulvus and C. napus) across their known geographical range.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

But Russian aid to North America and Western Europe is somewhat more uncommon.

Vice

Theron's Mavis Gary may be a somewhat unique and uncommon character to be the lead in a mainstream comedy, but if she were a he, Mr. Gary would blend right in.

Huffington Post

That a politician's place of origin still plays a part in this decision is somewhat depressing but not uncommon in immigrant societies.

The New York Times

The drawback: IKEA sells bulbs for the Forså only with a 2,700-kelvin 2,700-kelvinht" temperature, and LED candelabra bulbs warm a cooler temperature are uncommon andaylightatemperature

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat uncommon", ensure the context clarifies the degree of infrequency. It suggests something isn't frequently encountered, but isn't exceptionally rare either.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat uncommon" when describing something that is exceptionally rare or practically nonexistent. The phrase implies a degree of presence, however limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat uncommon" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun it modifies is not frequently encountered. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat uncommon" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that is not frequently encountered. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is descriptive, offering a nuanced way to indicate a degree of infrequency without implying extreme rarity. It's appropriate for neutral contexts and finds frequent use in News & Media and Scientific writing. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "relatively rare" and "fairly unusual", it's important to avoid overstating the rarity of what you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively rare

Indicates a state of being less common than average, similar to "somewhat uncommon" but potentially implying a slightly lower frequency.

fairly unusual

Suggests something deviates from the norm to a moderate extent, comparable to "somewhat uncommon".

moderately infrequent

Highlights the lack of frequency in a measured way, mirroring the meaning of "somewhat uncommon".

not particularly common

Emphasizes the lack of commonness in a more descriptive manner compared to "somewhat uncommon".

somewhat scarce

Focuses on the limited availability or presence, akin to saying something is "somewhat uncommon".

slightly atypical

Implies a mild deviation from what is typical, resonating with the sense of "somewhat uncommon".

a bit out of the ordinary

Suggests a mild departure from the usual, sharing a similar implication of infrequency with "somewhat uncommon".

not entirely typical

Highlights that something isn't fully within the norm, reflecting a similar meaning as "somewhat uncommon".

somewhat exceptional

Focuses on the fact that something is special and departs from commonness.

relatively isolated

Conveys the limited occurrence of something, mirroring the idea behind "somewhat uncommon".

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat uncommon" to describe things that aren't frequently found or observed. For example: "It is "somewhat uncommon" to see snow in July".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat uncommon"?

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

Is it better to say "somewhat uncommon" or "very uncommon"?

The choice depends on the degree of rarity. "Somewhat uncommon" suggests something is less frequent than average, while "very uncommon" indicates it's significantly rarer.

What's the difference between "somewhat uncommon" and "not uncommon"?

"Somewhat uncommon" means something is slightly rare. "Not uncommon" implies the opposite – that something is reasonably frequent. They have nearly opposite meanings.