would rarely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would rarely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that occurs infrequently or not often. Example: "In the past, such events would rarely be documented in official records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(By this metric, women and minorities would rarely be able to sit on a bench).

The New Yorker

As a result, they say, a "copy" would rarely be interchangeable with the original.

The New York Times

In reality, a woman in such a situation would rarely be in a position to protest to a court.

The New York Times

Politicians debating the measure should be mindful of Starmer's warning that such prosecutions would rarely be in the public interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

I learned that while he would rarely be in the office, I was to answer his phone and handle his insurance claims.

The New Yorker

Eleanor's stepdaughter was recently hired, with relocation expenses and a signing bonus, at seven months pregnant (a moment when not telling would rarely be an option).

The New York Times

Chicken, eggs and small amounts of dairy, such as cheese and yoghurt, are there in moderation, but red meat and sweets would rarely be consumed.

The Guardian

Hernández would rarely be used in the majors, however, and Manager Joe Torre may prefer to carry Jay Tessmer or Mike Thurman so Hernández can keep his momentum.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Henry said that even at his most exposed, during the "Saturday Night Live" years in the late 1970's, he would rarely be recognized in public.

The New York Times

While Mr. Feinberg has said there is no cap on the compensation, he has also said that awards of more than $3 million would "rarely be appropriate".

The New York Times

Most of the slopes would rarely be much above blue/red in difficulty if they were pisted - but, of course, they are not and that is the joy.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider the specific context. While "would rarely be" is generally understood, more precise alternatives like "seldom", "infrequently", or "uncommonly" may enhance comprehension in technical or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking modal verbs unnecessarily. While "would rarely be" is acceptable, phrases like "might would rarely be" are grammatically incorrect and sound awkward. Choose the most appropriate modal verb to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would rarely be" functions as a modal construction expressing a low probability or infrequency of a certain state or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the construction is grammatically sound and common, highlighting its role in indicating infrequent occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would rarely be" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something happens infrequently. As Ludwig AI's analysis and multiple examples confirm, it effectively conveys a low probability or uncommon occurrence. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like "would seldom be" or "would infrequently be" exist, "would rarely be" remains a versatile choice for expressing infrequency in English writing. The presence of "would rarely be" in various reputable sources underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would seldom be

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom", indicating a slightly more formal tone but maintaining near identical meaning.

would scarcely be

Substitutes "rarely" with "scarcely", indicating a sense of something being barely or only just the case.

would infrequently be

Substitutes "rarely" with "infrequently", offering a more formal alternative with a similar connotation of low occurrence.

would hardly be

Replaces "rarely" with "hardly", conveying that something is almost not the case.

would uncommonly be

Replaces "rarely" with "uncommonly", suggesting that something is not generally or usually the case.

would almost never be

Expands on "rarely" to explicitly state "almost never", providing a stronger emphasis on infrequency.

would atypically be

Substitutes "rarely" with "atypically", implying that something deviates from the norm or is unusual.

would not often be

Rephrases "rarely" into a negative construction using "not often", providing a less direct but similar meaning.

would exceptionally be

Replaces "rarely" with "exceptionally", suggesting that something is an exception to the usual case.

would be unusual

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the state of being "unusual", capturing the essence of rarity or infrequency.

FAQs

How can I use "would rarely be" in a sentence?

The phrase "would rarely be" is used to describe something that does not happen often. For example, "Such opportunities "would rarely be" available to someone in her position."

What are some alternatives to "would rarely be"?

You can use phrases such as "would seldom be", "would infrequently be", or "would uncommonly be" as alternatives to "would rarely be", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "would rarely be" and "is rarely"?

"Would rarely be" implies a hypothetical or conditional situation in the future or past, while "is rarely" describes a present or general condition. For example, "Opportunities like this "would rarely be" offered" (hypothetical) versus "This type of event "is rarely" seen" (general condition).

When is it appropriate to use "would rarely be" in writing?

Use "would rarely be" when discussing hypothetical situations, expected probabilities, or conditions that are uncommon but possible. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as indicated by its presence across diverse sources.