are seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens infrequently or rarely. Example: "These types of events are seldom seen in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Footballers are seldom sacked.

The Guardian - Sport

They are seldom separated.

The New York Times - Sports

Reasons are seldom given.

Independent

They are seldom welcome.

The Guardian

Calls are seldom returned.

The New York Times

"They are seldom disappointed".

The New York Times - Books

Failed bosses are seldom fired.

The Economist

Most myriapods are seldom seen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, they are seldom necessary.

Stanford University

Advances are seldom specified authoritatively.

The New York Times - Books

Actors are seldom this candid.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are seldom", ensure the subject is plural or non-count. For example, "Opportunities are seldom wasted by those who are prepared."

Common error

Avoid using "are seldom" with singular subjects. It should be "is seldom" for singular nouns and pronouns. For example, instead of "The opportunity are seldom available", write "The opportunity is seldom available".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are seldom" functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. It modifies the verb, indicating the frequency with which an action or state occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are seldom" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey that something happens infrequently. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides ample examples across diverse contexts. Its usage is most prominent in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries, indicating a slightly formal tone. Alternative phrases include "rarely occur" and "infrequently happen". When employing "are seldom", ensure it aligns with plural or non-count subjects, and avoid using it with singular nouns, which require "is seldom".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely occur

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely" and uses the verb "occur" to maintain the same meaning of infrequent happening.

are scarcely

Uses "scarcely" to emphasize the rarity of the occurrence.

infrequently happen

Substitutes "seldom" with "infrequently" and uses "happen" to express the occurrence of something.

are hardly

Similar to "scarcely", "hardly" indicates a low frequency of occurrence.

occur on rare occasions

Replaces "are seldom" with a more descriptive phrase indicating that something happens only on a few occasions.

seldom arise

Changes the structure to use "seldom" as an adverb modifying "arise", keeping the sense of infrequent occurrence.

are not often

Uses a simpler construction to convey the same idea of infrequency, replacing "seldom" with "not often".

do not frequently

A more explicit and slightly more formal way of saying something doesn't happen often.

are uncommonly

Employs "uncommonly" as an adverb to modify the verb, indicating that something is not commonly done or seen.

are few and far between

An idiomatic expression that indicates something is rare and not easily found or encountered.

FAQs

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

Use "are seldom" to indicate that something happens infrequently. For instance, "Opportunities "are seldom" offered without hard work" or "Genuine acts of kindness "are seldom" forgotten".

What phrases can I use instead of "are seldom"?

Alternatives to "are seldom" include phrases like "rarely occur", "infrequently happen", or "are not often", all conveying a similar meaning of infrequency.

Is it more formal to use "are seldom" compared to "are not often"?

"Are seldom" is generally considered slightly more formal than "are not often". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone of your writing. In most cases, both are acceptable, but "are seldom" might be preferred in more formal or academic settings.

What is the difference between "are seldom" and "are never"?

"Are seldom" implies that something happens rarely, but it is not impossible. "Are never", on the other hand, means that something does not happen at all. For example, "Mistakes "are seldom" intentional" suggests mistakes are usually unintentional, while "Mistakes "are never" acceptable" means mistakes are completely unacceptable.