very uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

"very uncommon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe things that are not often encountered or experienced. For example, "The plant's long-lasting red flowers were very uncommon for that species of flower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a very uncommon case.

The Guardian

It's a very uncommon occurrence".

The New York Times

"It's just very uncommon," she said.

The New York Times

"It's very uncommon among athletes," Beard said.

The New York Times - Sports

Women did fight as gladiators, though they were very uncommon.

The New York Times - Arts

It's very uncommon, and you've got to define choking".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's very uncommon to find a complete necklace," he said.

Independent

Mortgages are very uncommon in Mexico both for residents and foreign buyers.

The New York Times

"This situation is very uncommon," Gideon Weinbaum, an Israeli attorney wrote to me by e-mail.

The New Yorker

"They are very uncommon here," said Mr. Szantyr, who is from Waterbury.

The New York Times

February 24 My British humour comes through with him – very uncommon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very uncommon", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered typical or common to highlight the rarity effectively. For example, "While most roses are red, blue roses are very uncommon."

Common error

Avoid using "very uncommon" when the subject is known to be non-existent. Something that does not exist cannot be "very uncommon"; it simply does not exist. Use more appropriate phrasing like "non-existent" or "unheard of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very uncommon" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "uncommon" to emphasize the rarity or infrequency of something. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to describe events, conditions, or characteristics that deviate significantly from the norm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very uncommon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the rarity or infrequency of something, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While versatile, careful consideration should be given to avoid overstating rarity. As Ludwig's AI response confirms, this phrase is both correct and easily integrated into written English to effectively convey a sense of exceptionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unusual

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm.

extremely rare

Highlights the scarcity of the occurrence.

not frequently encountered

Focuses on the infrequency of experience.

seldom seen

Stresses the infrequency of visual observation.

out of the ordinary

Suggests a departure from typical events.

atypical

Indicates a lack of conformity to the usual type.

uncharacteristic

Implies a deviation from the typical character or behavior.

not commonplace

Highlights the lack of common occurrence.

few and far between

Emphasizes the spatial or temporal separation of occurrences.

a rare bird

Uses a metaphor to describe something unusual or exceptional.

FAQs

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

You can use "very uncommon" to describe something that is rare or not frequently encountered. For example, "Finding a four-leaf clover is "very uncommon"."

What is a synonym for "very uncommon"?

Synonyms for "very uncommon" include "extremely rare", "highly unusual", or "seldom seen".

Is it correct to say "quite uncommon" instead of "very uncommon"?

Yes, "quite uncommon" is a valid alternative, though it may suggest a slightly lower degree of rarity compared to ""very uncommon"".

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

"Uncommon" means something is not frequently seen or experienced, while ""very uncommon"" implies an even greater degree of rarity.