terribly rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly rare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely uncommon or infrequently encountered. Example: "The artifact was found in a remote location, making it a terribly rare discovery for archaeologists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The icons are not terribly rare, but their presence here never fails to intrigue visitors.

The New York Times - Arts

"This Fraktur is very exciting stuff and terribly rare," said Ralph Esmerian, chairman of the Museum of American Folk Art, whose collection includes some of the finest Fraktur in private hands.

The New York Times - Arts

While shocking, deaths like Cruz's aren't terribly rare in Brazil, where abortion is illegal except in cases of rape, anencephaly (a brain malformation caused by an embryonic defect), or when the mother's life is at risk.

Vice

Although it's a terribly rare family, and it appears a very, very rare mutation, the message that's much more important is that it's giving you a whole lot of new targets when you're thinking about pain control".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Blending social-emotional development, language development, problem-solving skills and the traditional academic subject areas is neither terribly difficult nor rare.

The New York Times

Terribly brave and terribly tough.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm a terribly slow reader, and it's a rare thing for me to finish a novel of over 150 pages in a single day.

The Guardian - Books

That, as anyone who's ever used MySpace knows, is a double-edged sword: the end results are usually range from the rare and wonderful to the terribly tacky.

TechCrunch

Bedroom Community's collectivist attitude isn't terribly audacious for the world of pop, but it is rare in classical music.

The New Yorker

Prometheus I have a soft spot for sci-fi but it's rare that you get a good sci-fi film that's terribly thought-provoking.

The Guardian - Music

Nobody was terribly interested in vintage photographic material then, and they were able to acquire inexpensively numerous rare, even unique, early photographs and prints from across the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rarity of something, consider the context. Use "terribly rare" when you want to add emphasis to the scarcity, especially when it's surprising or noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers like "really terribly rare", as it can sound redundant and weaken the impact. Choose one strong intensifier that effectively conveys the rarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly rare" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It intensifies the adjective "rare", indicating that something is not just uncommon, but exceptionally so. Ludwig examples showcase it in various contexts, highlighting its intensifying role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terribly rare" is a grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the infrequency or scarcity of something. Ludwig AI validates this, confirming its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to highlight the exceptional nature of something's rarity. While alternatives like "extremely uncommon" or "exceptionally scarce" exist, "terribly rare" adds a distinct emphasis. Remember to avoid overuse of intensifiers for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely uncommon

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", intensifying the rarity while maintaining a similar structure.

exceptionally scarce

Substitutes both words for synonyms, emphasizing the limited availability of something.

remarkably infrequent

Uses "remarkably" and "infrequent" to highlight the low occurrence rate.

incredibly unusual

Replaces "rare" with "unusual" and "terribly" with "incredibly", focusing on the unexpected nature.

singularly unique

Emphasizes the uniqueness to the point of being the only one of its kind, adding a layer of distinction beyond simple rarity.

exceedingly limited

Focuses on the restricted quantity or availability, highlighting the limitation aspect.

uncommonly sparse

Highlights the scattered and infrequent nature of the occurrence.

decidedly atypical

Shifts the focus to how the thing deviates from the norm rather than its rarity, but still implies it is not commonly found.

emphatically limited

Emphasizes the limited nature using emphatically.

distinctly exceptional

Highlights that the thing is clearly outstanding from others and not common.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly rare" to describe something that is extremely uncommon or infrequent. For example: "The blue-eyed ground dove is a "terribly rare" bird in this region."

What's a good alternative to "terribly rare"?

Alternatives include "extremely uncommon", "exceptionally scarce", or "remarkably infrequent", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "terribly rare" formal or informal?

"Terribly rare" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What makes something "terribly rare" vs. just "rare"?

The addition of "terribly" emphasizes the degree of rarity, suggesting that something is not just uncommon, but exceptionally so. It highlights the unusual or surprising nature of its scarcity.