even if seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even if seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs infrequently, but still happens under certain conditions. Example: "I enjoy going for long walks, even if seldom, as it helps clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even if seldom given explanations for their expulsions, many of those turned away suspect it is punishment for their antigovernment activism abroad.

The New York Times

But it did crystallise the assumptions of the late 1990s and early 2000s – a time when sharp criticisms of gridlock and lobbying were broadly accepted, and technocratic work-arounds to political paralysis were frequently proposed, even if seldom adopted.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Although only 11% had received cessation training, the majority reported intervening, even if seldom--91% asked about tobacco-use, 96% advised quitting, 89% assessed readiness to quit, 88% assisted with quitting, and 61% arranged post-discharge follow-up.

BMC Nursing

It is always so good to meet again, even if we seldom do.

The New York Times

Even if they seldom mixed, blacks, Jews, Poles and Italians could temporarily bond over a sidewalk smoke.

The New York Times

There are some excellent pictures in this show – moving, funny, beautiful, weird - even if he seldom quite manages to capture the moment in the way the late great Don McPhee of the Guardian so often did.

The Guardian

War is what we invest our time, energy, and treasure in on a scale that is, in its own way, remarkable, even if it seldom registers in this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

They manage to move the plot along because they are so good, even if you seldom know which branch of what secretive government world they represent.

Huffington Post

There is, to my mind, one question that makes what we call "election 2016" of paramount interest, even if we seldom bother to think about it: What the hell is it?

Huffington Post

With the usage being so high, it's much more likely that the user comes across your app and subconsciously registers it while scrolling for what he needs- even if he seldom uses your app contributing a great deal to the brand-building exercise.

Huffington Post

The findings showed that almost all nurses had asked, advised, assessed, and assisted in the previous year, even if only seldom, but less than half did so frequently.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even if seldom", ensure the context clearly establishes the condition under which the infrequent event occurs. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "even if seldom" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "even if infrequently" or "even if rarely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even if seldom" functions as a conjunction, specifically introducing a conditional clause. It indicates that the main clause is true or valid even when the condition (something happening seldom) is met. Ludwig's examples show it modifying the main clause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even if seldom" is a grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to introduce a conditional clause, conceding that an event is infrequent without negating the validity of the main clause. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct. While not overly common, it's generally suitable for a variety of contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic settings. Its communicative purpose is to express concession and provide nuance. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even if infrequently

Replaces "seldom" with a more formal synonym, indicating a low frequency of occurrence.

even if rarely

Substitutes "seldom" with "rarely", which is a more common and direct synonym.

even if not often

Uses a more verbose but equivalent expression to convey infrequency.

even if sparingly

Emphasizes the idea of something being used or done in small amounts or at infrequent intervals.

even if scarcely

Emphasizes the minimal or almost nonexistent nature of the occurrence.

even if unusually

Highlights the unexpected or atypical nature of the event or situation.

even if hardly ever

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate very low frequency.

even when infrequent

Slightly alters the sentence structure to focus on the condition of infrequency.

even if in few instances

A more formal and somewhat uncommon way of expressing rarity.

even if exceptionally

Highlights something that happens only under exceptional circumstances.

FAQs

What does "even if seldom" mean?

The phrase "even if seldom" means that something is true or happens, although it does not occur often. It indicates a condition that holds despite the infrequency of an event.

How can I use "even if seldom" in a sentence?

You can use "even if seldom" to express that something is still valid or applicable, despite being infrequent. For example, "I enjoy going for long walks, "even if seldom", because it helps clear my mind."

What are some alternatives to "even if seldom"?

Alternatives to "even if seldom" include "even if rarely", "even if infrequently", or "even if not often". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "even if seldom" formal or informal?

"Even if seldom" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in very formal contexts, alternatives like "even if infrequently" might be preferred.