though infrequent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though infrequent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs rarely or not often, often in contrast to something that happens more regularly. Example: "The meetings are scheduled every month, though infrequent attendance has been a concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

There are local buses – though, infrequent – between the various villages and towns in the Sierra making a hire-car unnecessary for walkers.

The Guardian - Travel

The squeamish should be aware that the show's violence, though infrequent, can be grim.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Inevitably," Mr. Holden said, "that puts me in conflict with a voluntary board that meets on a regular though infrequent basis, when I'm trying to move projects along.

The New York Times

The new study, however, relies on the idea that the biggest market downturns, though infrequent, are still subject to ordinary statistical analysis -- in other words, that they are not that exceptional.

The New York Times

Her presence, though infrequent these last 20 years, has enlivened many a movie, such as Misery, in which she played Caan's agent, and The Shootist, in which she tended the dying John Wayne in his magnificent last role.

The Guardian - Film

The other type of leisure is "project-based leisure," a short-term, reasonably complicated, one-shot or occasional though infrequent creative undertaking carried out in free time or time free of disagreeable obligation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Hence, variants we aggregated include those that qualify as both rare and infrequent (though, we note, we also examined associations using more strict cutoffs of 3% and 1%; see Results).

Plosone

The aftershocks, though increasingly infrequent, prompt fear of another landslide or worse.

The Guardian

The presence of RSV A, though relatively infrequent, was more common in severe (6 of 39 cases, 15.4%) than in mild disease (5 of 160 cases, 3.1%; p = 0.0085).

Plosone

However, though relatively infrequent, important discrepancies occurred in important areas such as comorbid conditions and complications.

BMC Health Services Research

Lytic EBV infection in oropharyngeal epithelial cells, though an infrequent event, is believed to be a major source of infectious EBV particles for salivary transmission.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though infrequent" to concede a point while simultaneously highlighting its rarity. This is useful in situations where the exception doesn't invalidate the rule or general trend.

Common error

Avoid using "though infrequent" too often in a single paragraph or document. Repetition can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though infrequent" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a qualification about the frequency of an event or characteristic. It introduces a concession, acknowledging that something occurs, but emphasizing its rarity, similar to examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though infrequent" is a useful phrase for acknowledging the occurrence of something rare, without giving it undue importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be effectively utilized across various writing styles. It is more common in scientific and news contexts. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to add nuance to your writing, ensuring that you don't overuse it to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "albeit uncommon" or "even if rare" can provide variety while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

albeit uncommon

Emphasizes that something is not common, despite another fact.

although rare

Direct synonym using "although" for concession.

even if rare

Highlights the rareness of an event or situation.

while uncommon

Similar to "though infrequent", but uses "while" to connect the ideas.

even when sporadic

Focuses on the irregular nature of occurrences.

despite being uncommon

Emphasizes the uncommon nature as a factor.

even if exceptional

Highlights the infrequency by pointing out the exceptional nature of the event.

infrequently, however

Breaks the phrase into two parts for emphasis and a slightly more formal tone.

rarely though it happens

Inverts the structure for emphasis on the rare occurrence.

scarce as it may be

Emphasizes the scarcity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "though infrequent" in a sentence?

You can use "though infrequent" to concede that something happens, but not very often. For example, "The company experiences delays, "though infrequent", in their shipping process."

What are some alternatives to "though infrequent"?

Alternatives to "though infrequent" include "albeit uncommon", "even if rare", or "while uncommon". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "though infrequent" or "although infrequent"?

"Though infrequent" and "although infrequent" are largely interchangeable. "Though" is generally considered slightly less formal than "although", but both are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "though infrequent" and "rarely"?

"Rarely" is a single-word adverb meaning "not often". "Though infrequent" is a phrase that concedes something occurs but highlights its lack of frequency, often within a broader context. Using "though infrequent" can provide more nuance and context than simply stating "rarely".