are seldom used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are seldom used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently utilized or applied in a particular context. Example: "These technical terms are seldom used in everyday conversation, making them difficult for most people to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, these procedures are seldom used in daily clinical practice.

Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental

The newly erected buildings are seldom used after the event in question is over.

Princeton University

Felling is commonly accomplished by chain saw; ax and handsaw are seldom used today.

Britannica

Optimal experimental design approaches are seldom used in preclinical drug discovery.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

However, because of the complexity involved in Lame formulations they are seldom used in design.

Marine Structures

However, research results from those fields are seldom used in the other.

Automation in Construction

Mr. Sharon does not have a living will because the documents are seldom used in Israel, Dr. Mor-Yosef said.

The New York Times - Health

Decimeters are seldom used; the system skips an order of magnitude from the centimeter to the meter.

MIT Technology Review

The lowest practical number of slots in a Geneva mechanism is 3; more than 18 are seldom used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gneiss and fine steel slag are seldom used in the construction of asphalt pavement due to their poor performances.

Construction and Building Materials

Analytical solutions obtained with limit analysis are however limited in scope and are seldom used in the engineering practice.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limited application of a particular method or tool, use "are seldom used" to convey that while it exists, it is not frequently employed in practice.

Common error

Avoid using "are seldom used" when you mean "are never used". Seldom implies occasional use, while never indicates complete absence of use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are seldom used" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that certain items, methods, or practices are not frequently employed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are seldom used" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed expression used to describe the infrequent application or utilization of something. As verified by Ludwig, it functions descriptively, informing the reader that while something exists, its use is limited. Common alternatives include "are rarely employed" and "are infrequently utilized". Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, especially science and news. Be mindful of the distinction between "seldom" and "never"; "seldom" implies occasional use, whereas "never" indicates complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are rarely employed

Focuses on the infrequency of use, similar to "are seldom used".

are infrequently utilized

Highlights the limited frequency of utilization, maintaining a formal tone.

are not often used

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something is not used frequently.

are uncommonly applied

Emphasizes the unusual nature of the application, implying a degree of rarity.

are scarcely adopted

Suggests limited acceptance or implementation, implying a lack of widespread use.

are hardly ever used

Emphasizes the minimal frequency of use, highlighting its rare occurrence.

are not widely used

Indicates a lack of broad adoption or prevalence, implying limited use.

are sparingly employed

Suggests that something is used economically or frugally, implying infrequent use.

are exceptionally uncommon

Highlights the exceptional rarity of something, further emphasizing its infrequent use.

are almost never used

Expresses a near-zero frequency of use, indicating extreme rarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "are seldom used" to indicate that something is not frequently employed or utilized, for example: "These methods "are seldom used" due to their complexity".

What is a good alternative to "are seldom used"?

Alternatives include "are rarely employed", "are infrequently utilized", or "are not often used", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "is seldom used" instead of "are seldom used"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is seldom used" for singular subjects (e.g., "This technique is seldom used"), and "are seldom used" for plural subjects (e.g., "These techniques "are seldom used"").

What's the difference between "are seldom used" and "are rarely used"?

While similar, "are rarely used" suggests a higher degree of infrequency than "are seldom used". Both indicate infrequent usage, but "rarely" emphasizes that the occurrence is less common than "seldom".