very few things rival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very few things rival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there are only a small number of things that can compare to something in quality, importance, or value. Example: "In terms of beauty, very few things rival the sunset over the ocean."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I do very few things.

The New York Times - Arts

Very few things count as Art.

The Guardian - Arts

"The first was that very few things are important.

The New York Times

Very few things have a permanent, devastating effect.

Harvard Business Review

So there are very few things that I worry about.

The Washington Post

There are very few things I see that surprise me.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were so very few things for us to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She did very few things in a ball gown".

The New York Times - Sports

Very few things in this life are absolute".

The Guardian - Opinion

Very few things become iconic in a natural way".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have very few things on the walls.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very few things rival" to emphasize the unique quality or characteristic of a subject, setting it apart from most alternatives. This phrase is useful when you want to highlight something's exceptional nature.

Common error

Avoid using "very few things rival" in casual conversation. This phrase has a formal tone and is best suited for professional writing or situations where you want to create a significant impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very few things rival" functions as a qualitative assessment, emphasizing the scarcity of comparable entities. It asserts that the subject in question stands out due to its superior attributes, suggesting a high degree of uniqueness or excellence.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very few things rival" is used to emphasize the exceptional nature of something, suggesting that few alternatives can compare in quality or impact. While the phrase is grammatically correct, there are no exact examples from the search data, thus it is difficult to properly determine usage frequency in various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and can be used to express the idea that only a small number of things can compare to something. Alternative phrases include "few things can match" and "hardly anything compares to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few things can match

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding equivalents in terms of quality or impact.

hardly anything compares to

Highlights the uniqueness of something, suggesting that most things fall short in comparison.

almost nothing equals

Indicates a significant disparity, suggesting only a select few approach the same level.

scarcely anything is on par with

Highlights the exceptional nature of something, indicating a higher standard.

little can compete with

Focuses on the competitive aspect, where few items can challenge its standing.

nothing quite measures up to

Emphasizes the uniqueness of something, implying there's a distinct attribute others lack.

very little can challenge

Focuses on the dominance of something, presenting limited competition.

rarely does anything come close to

Underlines the infrequent nature of something matching the quality or impact.

few things are in the same league as

Suggests belonging to a superior category or class, where others rarely reach.

hardly anything approximates

Implies that nearly all other things fail to closely resemble or imitate something.

FAQs

How can I use "very few things rival" in a sentence?

You can use "very few things rival" to emphasize the unique quality or characteristic of a subject, setting it apart from most alternatives. For example, "Very few things rival the feeling of accomplishment after completing a challenging project."

What are some alternatives to "very few things rival"?

You can use alternatives like "few things can match", "hardly anything compares to", or "almost nothing equals" depending on the context.

Is "very few things rival" formal or informal?

"Very few things rival" is generally considered a more formal phrase, best suited for professional writing or situations where you want to create a significant impact. Simpler phrases are suitable for informal contexts.

When should I use "very few things rival" over other similar phrases?

Use "very few things rival" when you want to specifically highlight the exceptional and almost unmatched nature of something. It's stronger than saying something is simply "good" or "unique".