this rarely happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this rarely happens" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an unlikely event or occurrence. For example: "This rarely happens, but I was able to finish all of my work on time today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

But, he added, this rarely happens.

The New York Times - Style

But in the real world this rarely happens.

The New York Times

This rarely happens when I read about health care.

The New York Times

For whatever reason, this rarely happens with the British fundraisers.

The Guardian

The reality, though, is that, with high-profile deals, this rarely happens.

The New Yorker

This rarely happens because the business model has suddenly become obsolete a common misconception.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this rarely happens", ensure the context clearly establishes what "this" refers to. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this rarely happens" as a blanket statement without sufficient evidence or context. Ensure your claim of rarity is supported by data, observation, or reliable sources to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this rarely happens" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency (or infrequency) with which an event or situation occurs. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this rarely happens" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that an event or situation is uncommon. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It finds application across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, science, and formal business settings, with a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. When using this phrase, clarity in context is crucial. While it's a versatile expression, avoid overgeneralization and provide supporting evidence to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this almost never happens

Replaces "rarely" with "almost never", expressing a stronger sense of infrequency.

this seldom occurs

Replaces "rarely happens" with "seldom occurs", maintaining the meaning with slightly more formal vocabulary.

this scarcely happens

Substitutes "rarely" with "scarcely", indicating a minimal frequency.

this is infrequent

Uses a descriptive adjective "infrequent" instead of an adverbial phrase.

it's unusual for this to happen

Rephrases the idea using "unusual" and changes the sentence structure to emphasize the unexpected nature of the event.

it's atypical for this to occur

Uses "atypical" to highlight the deviation from the standard or expected.

this is not a common occurrence

Employs a more formal tone, replacing "rarely happens" with "not a common occurrence".

this is an uncommon event

Emphasizes that the subject is not typical, using the words "uncommon event".

this is the exception rather than the rule

Expresses rarity by contrasting with the norm, suggesting that the event is an anomaly.

it's a rarity for this to happen

Frames the occurrence as something scarce or precious, heightening the sense of infrequency.

FAQs

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

Use "this rarely happens" to indicate that something occurs infrequently. For example: "While we hope for immediate success, "this rarely happens" in the business world."

What are some alternatives to "this rarely happens"?

You can use phrases like "this seldom occurs", "it's unusual for this to happen", or "this almost never happens" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this rarely happens"?

Yes, "this rarely happens" is grammatically correct. The adverb "rarely" correctly modifies the verb "happens" to indicate frequency.

What is the difference between "this rarely happens" and "this never happens"?

"This rarely happens" indicates that something occurs infrequently, while "this never happens" means that something does not occur at all. The former suggests a low probability, while the latter indicates impossibility.