there is rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is rarely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something doesn't occur very often. Example: "There is rarely a time when I'm not in the mood for ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These days there is rarely nothing good on television.

The Economist

When their travelling supporters visit other Spanish cities there is rarely trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

They tend to leak (as this one did), so there is rarely meaty stuff there.

TechCrunch

The result is there is rarely any sustained line of questioning.

BBC

In Russia there is rarely a car without a dash cam.

Forbes

There is rarely any warning, and this time it was no different.

Huffington Post

There is rarely much debate.

Independent

But there is rarely any respite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is rarely a simple, straightforward motivation for such violence.

Harvard University

If you all get on there is rarely a problem.

Independent

There is rarely any extra food in my home.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is rarely" to express that something happens infrequently but not never. It implies a low probability rather than an impossibility. It sets a tone of measured observation, acknowledging that exceptions can occur.

Common error

Avoid using "there is rarely" when you mean "there is never". "Rarely" indicates infrequent occurrence, while "never" indicates absence. Mixing them diminishes the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is rarely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the infrequency of an action or state. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there is rarely" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate infrequency. Ludwig provides ample examples across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science and Formal & Business writing, highlighting its neutral tone and wide applicability. The AI's analysis confirms that the phrase functions adverbially, modifying verbs or clauses to express that something doesn't occur very often. While subtle, using "there is rarely" correctly differentiates infrequent occurrences from complete absence, enhancing the precision of your writing. To express the same meaning you can use alternative phrases like "seldom is there" or "it's not often that there is".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is seldom

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", a synonym.

seldom is there

Inverts the sentence structure for emphasis.

there's hardly ever

Uses a more informal and emphatic phrasing.

it's not often that there is

Uses a more verbose and emphatic construction.

it's uncommon to see

Highlights the infrequency of observation.

it's unusual to find

Shifts the focus to the unusual nature of the occurrence.

not often does

Inverts the sentence for emphasis using "does".

one rarely finds

Employs a more formal and impersonal tone.

infrequently is there

Uses a more formal and less common adverb.

it's a rare occurrence

Changes the structure to emphasize the rarity as a characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "there is rarely" in a sentence?

Use "there is rarely" to indicate that something infrequently happens. For instance, "There is rarely a good time to make significant life changes".

What are some alternatives to "there is rarely"?

You can use alternatives like "seldom is there", "it's not often that there is", or "there is seldom" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "there is rarely" or "there is seldom"?

Both "there is rarely" and "there is seldom" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Rarely" is slightly more common in contemporary usage.

Can "there is rarely" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "there is rarely" is suitable for formal writing. It provides a nuanced way to express infrequency without being overly colloquial.