What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infrequently
Example
I visit my hometown infrequently. [infrequently: adverb]
Example
The company holds infrequent meetings to discuss important matters. [infrequent: adjective]
rarely
Example
I rarely eat fast food. [rarely: adverb]
Example
The museum has a rare collection of artifacts. [rare: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rarely is more commonly used than infrequently in everyday language. Rarely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infrequently is less common and often used in more formal or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infrequently and rarely?
Infrequently is more formal than rarely, which is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context and tone of the writing or speech.
