I have seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something happens infrequently or rarely. Example: "I have seldom seen such a beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have seldom been among such delighted operagoers.

The New York Times - Arts

I have seldom met anyone more committed to happiness.

The Guardian

I have seldom in my life felt so triumphant.

The New Yorker

I have seldom felt so demoralised by someone's behaviour.

The Guardian - Film

But I have seldom seen this climactic moment staged to such haunting effect.

The New York Times - Arts

I have seldom found people who are heartless or don't give a damn.

Yale University

Reverend Olds "saw an earnestness in reference to the Christian life that I have seldom seen.

The New York Times

I have seldom met actresses who would love art itself more than themselves in art.

The New Yorker

I have seldom heard the role sung with such rhythmic accuracy and verbal clarity.

The New York Times - Arts

I have seldom seen such a profusion of life anywhere on earth.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have seldom heard the rustic character of Beethoven's rondo finale conveyed with such earthy vigor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have seldom" to add a touch of formality or emphasis when describing something that rarely occurs in your experience. It is effective in both writing and formal speech.

Common error

Avoid using "I have seldom" in very casual contexts as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more common alternatives like "I rarely" or "I hardly ever" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have seldom" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the frequency or rarity of an action or experience. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it qualifying verbs like "seen", "heard", and "felt".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I have seldom" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something happens infrequently. According to Ludwig, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase. It leans towards formality and is found predominantly in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While generally correct, it's best to consider the tone of the situation and use more common alternatives like "I rarely" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I rarely have

This alternative uses "rarely" instead of "seldom", indicating a less frequent occurrence.

I have scarcely ever

This alternative uses "scarcely ever" to express the rarity of something.

I hardly ever have

This alternative emphasizes the infrequency with "hardly ever", suggesting something almost never happens.

I don't often have

This alternative uses a more common and straightforward way to express the infrequent nature of something.

I have infrequently

This alternative uses the adverb "infrequently" to convey the same meaning as seldom.

I do not often have

This alternative is a negative construction emphasizing the lack of frequent experience.

I have not often

This alternative is a more formal way of saying something doesn't happen frequently.

It is rare that I have

This alternative shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the rarity of the occurrence.

I have only occasionally

This alternative suggests that something happens only from time to time.

I have, on few occasions

This alternative highlights that the event has happened only a limited number of times.

FAQs

What does "I have seldom" mean?

The phrase "I have seldom" means that something happens infrequently or rarely. It's a way to express that you don't often experience or encounter something.

What can I say instead of "I have seldom"?

You can use alternatives like "I rarely have", "I hardly ever have", or "I don't often have" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have seldom seen"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "I have seldom seen". It is a perfectly acceptable and understandable phrase in English.

How formal is the phrase "I have seldom"?

The phrase "I have seldom" is considered more formal than alternatives like "I rarely" or "I don't often". It is suitable for formal writing and speech but may sound out of place in casual conversations.