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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are seldom done

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'are seldom done' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that certain actions occur infrequently. For example: "Big projects like these are seldom done without proper planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Now they are seldom done at all at the paper.

News & Media

The New Yorker

EUROPEAN summits are seldom done deals, but next week's is especially tough.

News & Media

The Economist

Sales through the wholesale channel are seldom done on the basis of credit.

News & Media

Forbes

(School closures, though, are seldom done through School Improvement Grants).

News & Media

Huffington Post

Rudman said the type of reports the Ferguson Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies are supposed to complete after an incident involving deadly force are "seldom done properly," but could be a good training tool.

News & Media

Huffington Post

However, such calculations are seldom done because they are much more sensitive for having the correct value of the log-dose/logit slope.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The broader problem with data mining, as Mr. Clark sees it, is that it is seldom done right.

News & Media

The New York Times

Another specialist, the upholsterer, did his work after the chairmaker had made the frame; and it seems likely that finishing was seldom done by the cabinetmaker.

It is seldom done except in cases of gross misconduct.

(This is seldom done, of course; the theorist does it in her imagination. See, though, Klosko 2000).

Science

SEP

However, measurement of the contact angle on high wettability surfaces such as hydrogels and cellular tissues is seldom done, because the liquid drop is immediately fused with the material surface.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are seldom done", consider whether a more common synonym like "rarely performed" or "infrequently executed" might improve clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid constructing unnecessarily passive sentences with "are seldom done". Rephrasing in the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "mistakes are seldom done by experts", try "experts seldom make mistakes".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are seldom done" functions as a passive construction indicating that certain actions or processes occur infrequently. It highlights the rare execution or completion of something. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

50%

Academia

16.67%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are seldom done" is a grammatically sound construction used to express that certain actions or events occur infrequently. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, including news outlets, scientific journals, and academic texts. While acceptable, the phrase might benefit from substitution with more common synonyms in certain contexts to enhance clarity or adjust the level of formality. It's more common in news, science and academia. Remember to consider the active voice as a better alternative. This expression is appropriate for neutral to formal registers.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are seldom done" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "are infrequently performed" or "are rarely carried out", which maintain a similar meaning but with a more elevated vocabulary.

What is a simpler way to say "are seldom done"?

You could use phrases such as "are not often done" or "are rare", which are more straightforward and easier to understand in everyday conversation.

Is it grammatically correct to use "are seldom done"?

Yes, "are seldom done" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules, where "are" is a verb, "seldom" is an adverb modifying "done", which is a past participle.

What's the difference between "are seldom done" and "are never done"?

"Are seldom done" implies that something happens rarely but does occur at least sometimes, while "are never done" indicates that something never happens at all. The former suggests infrequency, while the latter suggests impossibility or complete absence.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: