though rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though rare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to imply a contrast between two elements or ideas, such as in the following example sentence: "Although I usually prefer dogs, I do think cats are quite cute though rare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bigamy, though rare, is allowed.

The Guardian - Travel

Mitoses, though rare, were found as well.

Annals of Diagnostic Pathology

Though rare, he is not alone.

The New York Times

Though rare, there are veterinarians trained in forensics.

Cornell University

Though rare, more serious side effects have been reported.

The New York Times

Though rare, such tragedies are increasingly common in America.

The Economist

It is a phenomenon that, though rare, has occurred elsewhere.

The New York Times

Each schism, though rare, feels like a collective failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though rare, why does this happen at all?

The New York Times - Health

Wrong-site nerve blocks (WSBs) are a significant, though rare, source of perioperative morbidity.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

There are effective medications to prevent osteoporosis, but they can have serious (though rare) side effects.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though rare" to introduce a contrasting fact or possibility that is not common but still relevant to the main point. This can add nuance and completeness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "though rare" to introduce information that is so unlikely that it distracts from the main point. The rarity should be relevant, not merely a trivial exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though rare" functions as an adverbial modifier, introducing a concession or contrast to the main statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable in English. Examples across diverse sources illustrate its role in setting up an exception or unexpected condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though rare" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to introduce a concession or contrast. As Ludwig AI highlights, its versatility allows for usage across diverse contexts, ranging from formal academic papers to news articles and general writing. While "though rare" is widely accepted, understanding its nuances and available alternatives—such as "albeit uncommon" or "while infrequent"—can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. Remember to use it to introduce relevant, not trivial, exceptions. The phrase is common across News & Media, Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

albeit uncommon

Replaces "though rare" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the infrequency.

while infrequent

Uses "infrequent" instead of "rare" and "while" to introduce the contrasting element.

even if scarce

Employs "scarce" as a synonym for "rare" and "even if" to indicate a conditional concession.

notwithstanding its rarity

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the same idea, highlighting the uncommon nature.

despite being exceptional

Focuses on the exceptional nature of the occurrence rather than its rarity.

although limited

Indicates a restriction or small quantity, similar to rarity.

even though isolated

Suggests the occurrences are few and far between.

however unusual

Emphasizes the unusual nature rather than simply the rarity.

while not typical

Highlights the atypical nature of the situation or event.

granted, it's uncommon

Acknowledges the uncommon nature while introducing another point.

FAQs

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

Use "though rare" to introduce a contrasting fact that is uncommon. For instance, "Though rare, complications can occur after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to "though rare"?

You can use alternatives like "albeit uncommon", "while infrequent", or "even if scarce" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "although rare" instead of "though rare"?

Yes, "although rare" is grammatically correct and virtually interchangeable with "though rare". Both introduce a concession or contrast.

What's the difference between "though rare" and "but rare"?

"Though rare" introduces a subordinate clause, while "but rare" typically connects two independent clauses. "Though rare" is often more formal.