very infrequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very infrequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs rarely or seldom. Example: "I very infrequently go to the movies, as I prefer to watch films at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Officials note that has happened very infrequently.

The New York Times

MARIE: But they occur very infrequently.

The New Yorker

Athletes having sudden death occurs very infrequently.

The New York Times - Sports

Which has been happening very infrequently.

The New York Times - Sports

Some studies suggest that this happens very infrequently.

The New Yorker

"Artists who change the way other artists look at art — that happens very infrequently.

The New Yorker

When they had sexual intercourse, which was very infrequently, she would complain.

The New Yorker

Bujalski said in an interview that he played chess "very infrequently and very poorly".

The New York Times

"This area where we actually found them, it's very infrequently traveled by vessels," he said.

The New York Times

HOTSHOT TV animators used to knock on Disney Channel's door very infrequently.

The New York Times - Arts

The phrase 'once every Preston Guild' is a northern term which indicates something that happens very infrequently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very infrequently", ensure the context clearly supports the idea of something happening only a few times or almost never.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers; using phrases like "extremely very infrequently" is redundant. Stick to "very infrequently" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very infrequently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or event occurs. Ludwig examples confirm its role in specifying the infrequency of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "very infrequently" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that something occurs rarely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions effectively across various contexts, particularly in news and media and science. While alternative phrases like "very seldom" or "hardly ever" exist, "very infrequently" offers a clear and direct way to communicate the infrequency of an event or action. Be mindful of avoiding redundant intensifiers and ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of rarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite infrequently

Emphasizes the infrequency but with a slightly more nuanced tone.

very seldom

A more formal alternative, highlighting the rarity of the occurrence.

very occasionally

Suggests that something happens only at certain times, and not on a regular basis.

very rarely

Highlights the exceptional nature of the event.

hardly ever

An informal way of saying something almost never happens.

scarcely ever

Emphasizes the minimal frequency of an event.

almost never

Expresses that something happens close to never happening.

not very often

A straightforward way of indicating low frequency.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression signifying something that happens extremely rarely.

on rare occasions

Suggests that something might happen at some point, but the chance is very low.

FAQs

What does "very infrequently" mean?

The phrase "very infrequently" means that something happens rarely or seldom. It indicates a low frequency of occurrence.

How can I use "very infrequently" in a sentence?

You can use "very infrequently" to describe actions or events that occur only a few times. For example: "I visit my family "very infrequently" because they live far away."

What can I say instead of "very infrequently"?

You can use alternatives like "very seldom", "very rarely", or "hardly ever" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "very infrequently" or "not very frequently"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""very infrequently"" directly emphasizes the rarity, while "not very frequently" is a more roundabout way of saying the same thing. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.