was infrequently used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was infrequently used" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that wasn't often used or didn't happen very often. Example: The back door was infrequently used, so the hinges had become rusty over time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

No one seemed to know much about it, as it was infrequently used, but the director warned us it would probably not be possible to hike there in one day.

The New York Times

But the bunch was infrequently used, so its loss will not be as integral to strategy as the absence of the wedge.

The New York Times - Sports

Combination therapy was infrequently used (n = 6).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The one genuine abandoner has several possibilities why they abandoned it including the lack of departmental buy-in, the room located in a building that was infrequently used by other faculty in the department, and that SCALE-UP was not significantly different enough from current teaching practices to justify the logistical challenges entailing equipment.

International Journal of STEM Education

Technology specific to skin cancer was infrequently used: UVR photography was used in 15.2% of studies (n = 12), reflectance spectroscopy was used in 12.7% (n = 10), and dermatoscopes (n = 1) and dosimeters (n = 2) were each used in less than 3%.

Preventive Medicine

Studies in which cerclage was infrequently used reported a shorter inter-delivery interval compared to studies where cerclage was used in all cases (median is equal to 9 days versus 26 days, respectively, P<0.001) despite similar gestational ages at the first delivery, types of antibiotics, tocolytics, and incidence of infection.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is an important structural timber in native regions but is infrequently used elsewhere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The couple can keep the clock in a closet, or in a room that is infrequently used.

The New York Times

Chips are wired so more power is delivered to more important areas, while areas that compute non-essential data (or are infrequently used) are given less power or simply removed altogether.

The Economist

However, they are infrequently used in clinical practice.

Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología

However, scripted video vignettes are infrequently used to this end.

Patient Education and Counseling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was infrequently used", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject was not used often. Providing a reason adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was infrequently used" when a more precise term like "never used" or "rarely used" would be more accurate. Ensure the degree of infrequency aligns with the described situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was infrequently used" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of being combined with an adverb of frequency. It describes that something existed or was available but not often utilized. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was infrequently used" is a grammatically sound phrase that communicates a low frequency of use. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the reason for the infrequency is clear or implied to provide a complete understanding. While alternatives such as "was rarely used" or "was seldom used" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance required. Remember to avoid overstating the infrequency if a more precise term applies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rarely used

Uses "rarely" instead of "infrequently", indicating a low frequency of use.

was scarcely used

Replaces "infrequently" with "scarcely", conveying a similar meaning of limited use.

was hardly used

Substitutes "infrequently" with "hardly", suggesting a minimal level of use.

was seldom used

Employs "seldom" in place of "infrequently", indicating infrequent usage.

was not often used

Uses a more direct phrasing to express the lack of frequent use.

saw limited use

Shifts the focus to the extent of use rather than frequency.

was not in common use

Indicates that something was not typically or regularly used.

was used sparingly

Highlights the careful or restrained use of something.

had limited application

Focuses on the limited practical application or implementation of something.

was used on occasion

Implies that something was used only occasionally or from time to time.

FAQs

How can I use "was infrequently used" in a sentence?

You can use "was infrequently used" to describe something that was not used often. For example, "The side entrance was infrequently used after the renovation."

What's the difference between "was infrequently used" and "was rarely used"?

Both phrases indicate a low frequency of use. "Was infrequently used" suggests the use occurred but not often, while "was rarely used" implies the use was even less common.

What are some alternatives to "was infrequently used"?

Alternatives include "was seldom used", "was hardly used", or "saw limited use", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was infrequently used" or "was rarely used" in formal writing?

Both are acceptable in formal writing, but "was rarely used" might be perceived as slightly more concise. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.