very rare

USAGE SUMMARY

"very rare" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is considered to be uncommon or that rarely happens. For example, "This kind of event is very rare, so it's important to take advantage of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Very rare".

The New York Times

"It's not very rare.

Independent

It's very rare".

The New York Times

* * *  Very rare listing.

The New Yorker

"That's very rare.

The New York Times - Sports

"These are very rare".

The New York Times

But it's very rare.

Independent

It is very rare".

The New York Times - Arts

But that's very rare.

The New Yorker

That's Very Rare.

The New York Times - Health

"Now that's very rare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very rare", consider whether a more precise adjective might better convey the degree of rarity. For instance, instead of saying "very rare", you might specify "unprecedented", "unique", or "exceptional" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "very rare" redundantly. While grammatically sound, overuse can dilute the impact. Seek synonyms or rephrase to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very rare" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase. It intensifies the adjective "rare", indicating a higher degree of infrequency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very rare" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that intensifies the adjective "rare", indicating a high degree of infrequency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical status and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While the phrase is widely acceptable, consider using more precise synonyms in formal writing to enhance clarity. Its usage is most frequent in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Remember to avoid overuse and strive for precision to maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely uncommon

Replaces "rare" with a stronger synonym, "uncommon", and uses "extremely" for emphasis.

highly infrequent

Substitutes "rare" with "infrequent" and uses "highly" as an intensifier.

exceptionally scarce

Employs "scarce" in place of "rare" and uses "exceptionally" to heighten the degree of rarity.

exceedingly unusual

Replaces "rare" with "unusual" and "very" with "exceedingly" to denote a higher degree of infrequency.

few and far between

An idiomatic expression that conveys the idea of something being rare or infrequent.

a rarity indeed

Emphasizes the rarity by using "a rarity" and reinforcing it with "indeed".

hardly ever seen

Describes the infrequency of something by stating that it is "hardly ever seen".

seldom encountered

Uses the word "seldom" to indicate that something is not often encountered.

uncommon occurrence

Focuses on the fact that the occurrence of something is not common.

an unusual sight

Highlights the infrequency by saying it's an unusual sight

FAQs

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

You can use "very rare" to describe something uncommon or infrequent. For example, "A solar eclipse of this magnitude is "very rare"".

What phrases can I use instead of "very rare"?

Alternatives to "very rare" include "extremely uncommon", "highly infrequent", or "exceptionally scarce" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "very rare" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, in formal writing, consider more precise synonyms to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives include "unprecedented" or "exceptional".

What's the difference between "rare" and "very rare"?

"Rare" indicates something uncommon. Adding "very" intensifies the degree of infrequency. Using "extremely uncommon" is a stronger emphasis than just "rare".