rarely

Everyday

1. Rarely means not often; almost never. tree →
2. Rarely can also mean unusually, as in «a rarely beautiful day» (older use). tree →

In the lessons

In stories and reports it tells how often something happens, between «sometimes» and «never». In maths and data talk it means the event happens only a few times. Phrases: «rarely ever», «very rarely», «only rarely».

Examples

• It rarely snows here in April. tree →
• My grandma rarely watches television. tree →
• We rarely eat out, so tonight is special. tree →
• Owls are rarely seen in the daytime. tree →
• He is rarely late for school. tree →
• Rarely have I seen such a big dog. tree →
• Sharks rarely attack people. tree →
• These battles between boys rarely end well. tree →

Note

Frequency word: always – usually – often – sometimes – rarely – never. Goes before the main verb but after «be»: «She rarely cries», «She is rarely sad». At the start of a sentence the order flips: «Rarely do we…». Spelt rare + ly, keep the e.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and reports it tells how often something happens, between «sometimes» and «never». In maths and data talk it means the event happens only a few times. Phrases: «rarely ever», «very rarely», «only rarely».

Examples

• All these translations are out of print and are rarely found even in well regulated libraries. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Frequency word: always – usually – often – sometimes – rarely – never. Goes before the main verb but after «be»: «She rarely cries», «She is rarely sad». At the start of a sentence the order flips: «Rarely do we…». Spelt rare + ly, keep the e.