I seldom do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I seldom do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that you rarely engage in a particular action or behavior. Example: "When it comes to eating dessert, I seldom do, as I prefer savory dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I seldom do.

Independent

These days I seldom do so myself as it's always bad news.

The Guardian - Books

I sometimes left feeling overwhelmed — maybe I should say capsized — in a way I seldom do.

The New York Times - Food

The extra horsepower was not all that evident, especially when not driving at full throttle, which I seldom do anyway.

The New York Times

Where at home I seldom do anything without giving thought to its outcome, in India logic tends to take a back seat to instinct.

The New York Times

In those days I could afford few books, certainly in hardback, and so wrote my name in them as I seldom do nowadays.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Is it seldom done because families like surnames to continue – for the sake, as it were, of the family tree?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her sentences frequently end with, "Do you know what I mean?", but I very seldom do, so I tend to have a stab and suggest an interpretation, with which she usually concurs.

The Guardian - Music

I did something I have seldom done: I sent him a fan letter.

The Guardian - Music

I travel extensively - but seldom do I get to sojourn in so pastoral a setting, let alone one in the US.

Unicef

I often endorse eating cake for breakfast, but seldom do I admit to loving breakfast in the evening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I seldom do" when you want to express that you perform an action only rarely. It's a slightly more formal way of saying "I rarely do".

Common error

Avoid using "I seldom do" in very informal contexts like casual conversations with friends. Opt for a simpler "I rarely do" or "I don't often do" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I seldom do" functions as an expression of frequency, specifically indicating that the speaker performs an action only rarely. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples from various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I seldom do" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating that an action is performed infrequently. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides examples from reputable sources, mostly from news and media. It carries a slightly formal tone, making it suitable for professional contexts but less ideal for very casual settings. While not as common as alternatives like "I rarely do", it offers a precise way to communicate the rarity of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I rarely do

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", a direct synonym indicating infrequent occurrence.

I hardly ever do

Uses "hardly ever" to convey a similar sense of infrequency.

I infrequently do

Substitutes "seldom" with the more formal "infrequently".

I don't often do

Expresses infrequent action using a negative construction.

I occasionally do not

Expresses infrequent action using a negative construction.

I only sometimes do

Indicates that the action happens, but not regularly.

I do that on occasion

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the action being occasional.

I do not do that regularly

A more explicit way of stating that the action is not a regular occurrence.

It's not something I often do

Shifts the focus to the action itself, emphasizing its infrequency.

I make a point of not doing that often

Emphasizes a conscious decision to avoid the action frequently.

FAQs

How can I use "I seldom do" in a sentence?

"I seldom do" is used to express that you don't often perform a particular action. For example: "I used to eat fast food frequently, but now "I seldom do"".

What's a synonym for "I seldom do"?

Synonyms for "I seldom do" include "I rarely do", "I hardly ever do", or "I don't often do".

Is it more appropriate to use "I seldom do" or "I rarely do"?

"I seldom do" is slightly more formal than "I rarely do". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing or conversation. Both are grammatically correct.

Can "I seldom do" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "I seldom do" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to indicate that you rarely perform a particular action, and can be found in news reports and business documents.