I have seldom seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have seldom seen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that you rarely encounter or observe something. Example: "I have seldom seen such a breathtaking view as the one from the mountaintop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Opinion

I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better grown goose".

The Guardian - Books

I have seldom seen a play in which the tellers and their tales seem so ineffably one.

The New York Times

I have seldom seen such a degree of disconnect between the substance of a paper and what has been said about it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The problem is that there are painful differences between balanced and fair FTAs and unfair FTAs, and we've seldom seen a fair one since 1985, certainly not one that actually increased rather than lost American jobs.

HuffPost

"I've seldom seen a less healthy looking person.

The Guardian - Arts

Still, especially with the sunglasses in winter — something I had seldom seen before — she looked glamorous.

The New Yorker

"I've seldom seen or met anyone less revolutionary than Ed Miliband," he wrote.

The Guardian

Still, especially with the sunglasses in winter something I had seldom seen before she looked glamorous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have seldom seen" to express surprise or emphasize the uniqueness of an observation. For example, "I have seldom seen such dedication in a volunteer."

Common error

Avoid using "I have seldom seen" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "I don't often see that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have seldom seen" primarily functions as an emphatic statement expressing the speaker's rare encounter with something. Ludwig identifies this construction as grammatically sound and common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I have seldom seen" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a rare or uncommon observation. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase effectively emphasizes surprise, admiration, or even disbelief, making it a versatile tool for impactful communication. While suited to a neutral register, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overly formal tones in casual settings. By understanding its nuances and proper usage, writers can leverage "I have seldom seen" to add depth and emphasis to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have rarely observed

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", emphasizing the infrequency of the observation.

I have infrequently witnessed

Substitutes both "seldom" and "seen" with synonyms, making the phrase more formal.

I have not often seen

Uses a more direct and common phrasing to express a similar meaning.

I have scarcely encountered

Replaces "seldom seen" with "scarcely encountered", indicating a limited experience.

It's uncommon for me to see

Shifts the focus to the speaker's experience of uncommmoness.

I rarely get to see

Focuses on the opportunity to see something, which is rare.

My experience seeing this is limited

Highlights the limited nature of one's experience.

I don't often see

A simple and direct way to convey the infrequent nature of seeing something.

I've hardly ever seen

Uses "hardly ever" to emphasize the lack of experience.

Instances of me seeing this are rare

Emphasizes the rarity of the speaker's observation of something.

FAQs

What does "I have seldom seen" mean?

The phrase "I have seldom seen" means that the speaker has rarely witnessed or experienced something. It expresses that the event or object being described is uncommon in their experience.

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

You can use alternatives like "I have rarely observed", "I have infrequently witnessed", or "I have not often seen" depending on the context.

Is "I have seldom seen" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I have seldom seen" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for subject-verb agreement and tense usage, according to Ludwig.

How can I use "I have seldom seen" in a sentence?

Use "I have seldom seen" to express a rare or uncommon observation. For example: "I have seldom seen such dedication from a group of volunteers".