this rarely happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this rarely happened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that occurred infrequently in the past. Example: "In our meetings, this rarely happened, making it all the more surprising when it did."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But in my experience, this rarely happened.

The New York Times

But this rarely happened, and so, when it did, Benji was usually willing to be forgiving.

The New Yorker

As a child, you trust that teachers will intervene, but this rarely happened.

The Guardian

Although the commissioners — led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu — envisioned a process in which telling the truth would lead to forgiveness, this rarely happened.

The New York Times

As a rule, she moved out of the family's house the day a baby turned a month old, unless — though this rarely happened — she was between jobs, which was never more than a few days.

The New Yorker

Though Joseph Stiglitz, a former chief economist for the World Bank, says he wanted the WDR to raise hard questions even ones the bank could not answer in practice this rarely happened.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This rarely happens.

The New York Times - Sports

However, this rarely happens in practice.

Building and Environment

But in practice this rarely happens.

The New Yorker

In the United States, this rarely happens.

The Washington Post

This rarely happens in other areas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past situations that did not often occur, use "this rarely happened" to clearly convey the infrequency. Ensure the context provides sufficient background to understand what "this" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "this rarely happened" without a clear antecedent. Ensure that "this" has a specific, easily identifiable referent in the preceding text. Otherwise, the statement can be vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this rarely happened" functions as a statement indicating the infrequency of a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the examples show it commonly appears in narrative or descriptive contexts to emphasize something unusual.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this rarely happened" is grammatically sound and serves to denote the infrequent occurrence of a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a 'Correct' grammatical status and being 'Uncommon' in frequency, the phrase is primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, highlighting its versatility across different writing styles. While authoritative sources employ it effectively, clarity is key: ensure "this" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "this seldom occurred" offer semantic alternatives. In summary, "this rarely happened" is a reliable phrase for describing past infrequency, provided it's used with a clear referent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seldom occurred

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", indicating a less frequent occurrence.

it hardly ever happened

Uses "hardly ever" to express the infrequency of the event.

it infrequently happened

Substitutes "rarely" with the more formal "infrequently".

this was an uncommon occurrence

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the "occurrence" being uncommon.

this was a rare event

Uses "rare event" to convey the infrequent nature of the situation.

it scarcely happened

Employs "scarcely" to emphasize the minimal frequency.

this didn't happen often

Uses a negative construction to express the lack of frequency.

this was not a common event

Emphasizes the lack of commonality in the occurrence.

it happened on few occasions

Focuses on the limited number of occasions the event occurred.

this was exceptional

Describes the event as unusual or out of the ordinary.

FAQs

What does "this rarely happened" mean?

The phrase "this rarely happened" means that a particular event or situation occurred infrequently in the past. It indicates that the event was uncommon or unusual.

How can I use "this rarely happened" in a sentence?

You can use "this rarely happened" to describe a past situation that was not common. For example: "Although we had planned for emergencies, this rarely happened, so we became complacent."

What are some alternatives to "this rarely happened"?

Some alternatives include "this seldom occurred", "it hardly ever happened", or "this was an uncommon occurrence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "this rarely happens" or "this rarely happened"?

"This rarely happens" describes a situation that infrequently occurs in the present or generally. "This rarely happened" describes a specific situation that was infrequent in the past. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a past event or a general tendency.