which is rare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is rare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is uncommon or not frequently encountered. Example: "Finding a four-leaf clover is a delightful surprise, which is rare in nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Which is rare indeed.

Independent

3. Fetherhuff: We're touching the entire time, which is rare.

The New York Times

He is proud of it, which is rare for him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Because of that, people trust him – which is rare.

The Guardian

Paul's a Christian, too, which is rare among managers.

The Guardian - Sport

An octopus bite, which is rare, can be venomous.

The New York Times - Health

One is known as early-onset Alzheimer's, which is rare.

The New Yorker

I trashed the first draft, which is rare.

The New York Times

"There's an equality in their relationship which is rare".

The New York Times - Arts

The containment percentages were fluctuating, which is rare.

The New York Times

They are actually building new infrastructure, which is rare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is rare", ensure it clearly connects to the noun it modifies, adding relevant information about its infrequency. For example, "A solar eclipse, which is rare, always draws large crowds."

Common error

Avoid placing "which is rare" in a way that creates ambiguity. For instance, instead of "He eats fish, which is rare, on Tuesdays", clarify it to "Eating fish on Tuesdays, which is rare for him, is his routine."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is rare" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used to denote infrequency. For example, 'An octopus bite, which is rare, can be venomous.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is rare" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause employed to emphasize the uncommon or infrequent nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various writing contexts, with a predominant presence in news and media. To enhance clarity, ensure the phrase is correctly placed to avoid ambiguity and consider using synonyms like "which is uncommon" or "which is unusual" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is unusual

Focuses on the deviation from the norm.

which is uncommon

Emphasizes the lack of frequency.

which is infrequent

Highlights the sporadic nature of the occurrence.

which is exceptional

Stresses the departure from the usual, potentially with a positive connotation.

which is atypical

Focuses on the non-standard nature.

which is scarce

Indicates a limited availability or presence.

which is seldom

Highlights the infrequency of the event.

which is few and far between

Emphasizes the great distance between occurrences.

which is like hen's teeth

An idiomatic way to describe something extremely rare or non-existent.

which is out of the ordinary

Highlights the deviation from the commonplace.

FAQs

How can I use "which is rare" in a sentence?

Use "which is rare" to add extra information about something uncommon. For example, "Finding a parking spot downtown, "which is rare", made my day easier."

What are some alternatives to saying "which is rare"?

Consider using alternatives such as "which is uncommon", "which is unusual", or "which is infrequent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that is rare" instead of "which is rare"?

Both "that is rare" and "which is rare" can be grammatically correct, but "which" is typically used for nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information, while "that" is used for restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence's meaning. For example: "The book, which is rare, is worth a lot" vs. "The book that is rare is worth a lot".

How does the formality of "which is rare" compare to its alternatives?

"Which is rare" is generally considered neutral in formality. Alternatives like "which is unusual" or "which is exceptional" might be slightly more formal, while phrases like "like hen's teeth" are more informal.