very rarely

USAGE SUMMARY

'very rarely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something almost never happens or is true. For example: "I very rarely watch TV."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They very rarely are.

The New Yorker

We very rarely argue.

Independent

We row very rarely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I very rarely dream.

Independent

Really, very rarely".

The Guardian - Film

Or very rarely.

The New York Times - Arts

He very rarely does.

The Guardian - Music

"Very rarely," she replies.

The Guardian

Very rarely the descendents.

The Guardian - Music

"We very rarely disagreed".

The New York Times - Arts

That very rarely happens.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or patterns, "very rarely" can be effective to highlight exceptions to the norm.

Common error

Avoid using "very rarely" multiple times in the same paragraph or short piece of writing. Instead, diversify your language with synonyms like "almost never", "hardly ever", or "infrequently" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very rarely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or infrequency of an action or state. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it modifies verbs or entire clauses to express how seldom something occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very rarely" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote that something almost never happens. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. With a neutral register, this phrase fits seamlessly into both formal and informal contexts, conveying a sense of infrequency stronger than just "rarely". While frequently appearing in News & Media, it is also common in Academia and Formal & Business settings. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms like "almost never" or "hardly ever" to enhance your writing. By considering its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively utilize "very rarely" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never

Emphasizes the near impossibility of an event occurring.

hardly ever

Suggests a slightly higher frequency than "very rarely", but still infrequent.

scarcely ever

Similar to "hardly ever", indicating a low frequency of occurrence.

infrequently

A more formal synonym for "very rarely".

seldom

A classic synonym, implying that something doesn't happen often.

on rare occasions

Highlights the exceptional nature of the event when it does occur.

not often

A straightforward and simple way to express infrequency.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression for events that occur extremely infrequently.

uncommonly

Similar to infrequently, but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

in rare instances

Highlights the exceptional nature of instances.

FAQs

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

You can use "very rarely" to indicate that something almost never happens. For example, "I "very rarely" eat fast food."

What are some alternatives to "very rarely"?

Alternatives include "almost never", "hardly ever", or "infrequently". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is there a difference between "rarely" and "very rarely"?

"Very rarely" emphasizes a lower frequency than "rarely". While "rarely" suggests something doesn't happen often, ""very rarely"" suggests it almost never happens.

Can "very rarely" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""very rarely"" is appropriate for formal writing. While alternatives like "infrequently" exist, "very rarely" is widely accepted and understood in professional contexts.