I seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something happens infrequently or rarely. Example: "I seldom go to the movies these days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I seldom do.

Independent

I seldom take holidays.

The Guardian - Travel

"I seldom get lost.

The New York Times

I seldom call.

The New York Times - Sports

But I seldom collaborate.

The Guardian

Though cinema I seldom haunt.

The New Yorker

"I seldom hear from them.

The New York Times

I seldom see families swimming together.

Independent

But I seldom saw him smile.

The New York Times - Arts

ROME -- I seldom go back to England.

The New York Times

I seldom read what [my husband] writes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "rarely", "hardly ever", or "infrequently" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "I seldom" when you mean "never". "Seldom" implies occasional occurrence, while "never" indicates complete absence. Using "seldom" incorrectly can weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I seldom" functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. It indicates the frequency with which the subject performs an action, expressing that the action occurs infrequently. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I seldom" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that an action or event occurs infrequently. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "rarely" or "hardly ever" can add nuance, using "I seldom" provides a clear and concise way to indicate that something doesn't happen often. Remember to consider the context to avoid implying complete absence when you mean only infrequent occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I rarely

Emphasizes the infrequency of an action, similar to "I seldom", but may imply a slightly stronger sense of rarity.

I hardly ever

Highlights the near absence of an event or action, conveying a slightly more emphatic sense of infrequency than "I seldom".

I infrequently

Uses a more formal tone to express that something does not happen often, akin to "I seldom" but with a less common adverb.

I don't often

States that an action is not frequently performed, providing a straightforward alternative to "I seldom" with a more common construction.

I scarcely

Indicates that something happens only just or barely, similar to "I seldom" but possibly implying a greater degree of limitation.

I occasionally

Suggests that something happens from time to time, differing from "I seldom" in that it specifies irregular instances rather than a general lack of frequency.

I only sometimes

States that something occurs merely on some occasions, providing a less formal alternative to "I seldom" with an added emphasis on the sporadic nature.

It is not often that I

Inverts the sentence structure to express infrequency, maintaining a formal tone similar to "I seldom" but with a greater degree of emphasis.

I do not frequently

Uses a direct and formal construction to convey that an action is not done frequently, similar to "I seldom" but with a more explicit adverb.

I am not in the habit of

Indicates that something is not a customary action for the speaker, differing from "I seldom" in that it refers to a habitual pattern rather than a general frequency.

FAQs

What does "I seldom" mean?

"I seldom" means that you do something only rarely or infrequently. It's a way of saying something doesn't happen often.

What can I say instead of "I seldom"?

You can use alternatives like "I rarely", "I hardly ever", or "I infrequently" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "I seldom do"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. For example, "I used to eat in restaurants frequently. Now "I seldom do"."

What's the difference between "I seldom" and "I sometimes"?

"I seldom" implies that something happens rarely, whereas "I sometimes" suggests it happens occasionally. "Seldom" indicates a lower frequency than "sometimes".