although seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

"although seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause in a sentence where the idea of rare occurrence is desired. For example, "Although seldom seen, these animals have been known to inhabit the area for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Although seldom seen, Timon of Athens always seems topical.

The Guardian

A bite from the snake can be serious, although seldom fatal.

The New York Times - Science

An even more extreme worry, although seldom a reality, is the disappearing publisher.

The New York Times - Books

Although seldom encountered, the bushmaster is dangerous, with a potentially lethal venom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although seldom more than moderately successful in their day, these recordings have been cherished by two generations of collectors and extensively reissued in Europe.

The Guardian - Music

Although seldom living up to her name, Savage is the best thing in an evening that lasts almost as long as King Lear, but with fewer laughs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Dame Ninette also wrote poetry, although she seldom published it.

The New York Times - Arts

Viewers are regularly reminded of the government's terror alert level, although it seldom changes.

The Guardian

Cristobalite is probably more abundant in nature than tridymite, although it seldom forms as distinctive crystals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although North Korea seldom plays beyond its borders, it defeated favored China to win the Asian qualifying tournament in June.

The New York Times - Sports

There are millions of Boualem Yekkers throughout the Islamic world, although we seldom hear of them in the West.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "although seldom", ensure the main clause provides a statement that is true or generally applicable, despite the infrequent nature described in the "although" clause.

Common error

Avoid using "although seldom" when the infrequency undermines the main point. If something hardly ever happens, its impact might be negligible, making the contrast less meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although seldom" functions as an adverbial conjunction, connecting two clauses by introducing a contrast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable way to express that something is true despite being infrequent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "although seldom" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that introduces a contrast, acknowledging the infrequent occurrence of something while affirming the validity of the main statement. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It's frequently found in scientific, news and media contexts. When using "although seldom", ensure that the infrequency doesn't negate the main point and consider alternatives like "even though rarely" or "though infrequently" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though rarely

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", emphasizing infrequency.

though infrequently

Substitutes "seldom" with "infrequently", highlighting the lack of regular occurrence.

while uncommonly

Uses "uncommonly" instead of "seldom", focusing on the atypical nature of the event.

despite being uncommon

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the unusual nature of the situation.

even if not often

Emphasizes the lack of frequency directly.

though not frequently

Similar to "even if not often," but uses "frequently" for a slightly different emphasis.

while scarcely

Replaces "seldom" with "scarcely", suggesting a minimal presence or occurrence.

despite its rarity

Focuses on the rarity of the event or situation, shifting the emphasis.

even when unusual

Highlights the atypical nature of the event, adding a layer of unexpectedness.

though exceptionally

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the situation, suggesting it's out of the ordinary.

FAQs

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

Use "although seldom" to introduce a fact that is rarely true, but doesn't invalidate the main point of your sentence. For example, "Although seldom seen, the elusive snow leopard still roams these mountains".

What are some alternatives to using "although seldom"?

You can use alternatives such as "even though rarely", "though infrequently", or "despite being uncommon" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "although rarely" or "although seldom"?

Both "although rarely" and "although seldom" are grammatically correct. The choice between them depends on the specific context and stylistic preference. "Seldom" might sound slightly more formal or literary.

What is the difference between "although seldom" and "although occasionally"?

"Although seldom" implies a lower frequency than "although occasionally". "Seldom" suggests something happens very rarely, while "occasionally" suggests it happens sometimes, but not often.