very rarely found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very rarely found' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is not common and can be difficult to find. For example, "This type of artifact is very rarely found in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

However, box jellies are very rarely found on beaches.

University of California, Berkeley

I very rarely found there were bad days with him.

The New York Times - Arts

That mind possessed a linguistic scholarship and a literary imagination very rarely found together.

The Guardian - Books

But now this type of construction is unpopular and is very rarely found in developing Polish cities.

Procedia Engineering

"I think it is a complete disgrace and it is very, very rarely found in this court".

The Guardian

In October, neurologists in Recife, who normally saw microcephalic babies very rarely, found themselves treating five or more at a time.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I very rarely find that they're sleeping on the right stuff," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

You very rarely find more than two of those personalities in one person.

The New York Times

"You very rarely find a predator in those circumstances who only molested one kid," said Mr. Feathers, now retired.

The New York Times

Of major countries, you very rarely find a team that wins their open cup competition a number of years in a row.

The New York Times

Despite what some people say, research from the best scholars in the U.S. and Europe has found that predators very rarely find victims online.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very rarely found" to emphasize the exceptional infrequency of something, ensuring the context supports this strong claim. For example, "Genuine kindness is very rarely found in such cutthroat environments."

Common error

Avoid using "very rarely found" when the item or situation is merely uncommon, not exceptionally rare. Overusing this phrase dilutes its impact. Instead, consider "uncommon" or "infrequent" for less extreme cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very rarely found" functions as an adverbial modifier emphasizing the infrequency of something being discovered or located. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its wide application across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

26%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very rarely found" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the exceptional infrequency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and readily applicable. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, the phrase effectively conveys scarcity and is suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, be mindful of its strong emphasis, ensuring it accurately reflects the true rarity of the subject to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never encountered

Emphasizes the near absence of encounters.

scarcely ever discovered

Highlights the difficulty in finding or discovering something.

infrequently observed

Focuses on the lack of frequent observation.

seldom located

Suggests that the item is not often found in a particular place.

hardly ever detected

Implies a challenge in detecting or noticing something.

rarely if ever seen

Strengthens the rarity with an additional emphasis.

uncommonly identified

Highlights that identification is not a common occurrence.

sporadically present

Indicates that presence is occasional and not consistent.

exceptionally uncommon

Emphasizes the exceptional rarity of something.

practically nonexistent

Suggests that something is so rare it is almost as if it doesn't exist.

FAQs

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

You can use "very rarely found" to describe something uncommon or scarce. For example, "Evidence of early human settlements is "very rarely found" in this region".

What's a more formal alternative to "very rarely found"?

More formal alternatives include "infrequently observed", "scarcely encountered", or "uncommonly identified".

What's the difference between "rarely found" and "very rarely found"?

"Rarely found" indicates something is uncommon, while ""very rarely found"" emphasizes an even greater degree of scarcity. The latter is stronger and should be used when the infrequency is truly exceptional.

Which is correct: "very rarely found" or "very rare to find"?

"Very rarely found" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. "Very rare to find" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.