far too seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something happens infrequently or rarely, often with an emphasis on the degree of rarity. Example: "We gather for family dinners far too seldom, and I wish we could do it more often."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But Ms. Cusack, who appears far too seldom on these shores, is giving one of those performances that keeps replaying itself in your mind.

The New York Times

They are the true activists that fight big agribusinesses but are far too seldom credited for their grass-roots advocacy work: building the infrastructure for the modern urban farm grid.

The New York Times

Shortly before he was appointed to the review panel, Jeff Greason, the head of a small spaceship company called XCOR Aerospace, said, possibly prophetically: "There is a question that gets asked far too seldom, which is why do we have NASA?"Few are suggesting that NASA be eliminated, but such questions reflect the struggle for purpose that it has had since the end of Apollo.

The Economist

In today's fast-paced world, it's far too seldom that we take time to really think about what we are learning and who is shaping our knowledge.

Huffington Post

Finally, the investigation of the subcellular cytoskeleton is still mostly divided into separate communities focusing on either actin, MTs, or far too seldom, IFs.

Advances in Physics

Hence, the CHC-nurses stated that they see each child far too seldom to be able to make a difference that would matter.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The truth – far too too seldom stated – is that as well as operating in a 'Valley' manner, equally European startups can come out of a sector-specific business context.

TechCrunch

Appointments are far too cosy: new blood is seldom sought from outside.

The Economist

But she's there too seldom; her show will have far better nights than this.

The Guardian

And far too many are also found to have "spots" or "shadows" that are seldom significant but are said to be "worrisome".

The New York Times - Health

Kilmarnock, who needed a win to keep alive their faint hopes of a top-half finish, allowed the visitors far too much time and space on the ball in the first half and were seldom seen as an attacking threat.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too seldom" when you want to emphasize that something happens much less often than it should or is desired. This phrase adds a stronger emotional tone compared to simply saying "rarely".

Common error

Avoid using "far too seldom" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes be perceived as overly emphatic or subjective. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "infrequently" or "rarely" to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too seldom" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the infrequency of an action or event. It expresses not just rarity, but also a sense of dissatisfaction or concern about how infrequently something occurs. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase adds emphasis and emotional weight to a statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far too seldom" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something happens much less often than desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and notes its usage across various domains like News & Media and Science. While not overly formal, its presence in reputable sources indicates its acceptability in professional and academic contexts, though it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly emphatic. Consider alternatives like "much too rarely" or "way too infrequently" to provide variety and nuance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much too rarely

Replaces "far too seldom" with "much too rarely", altering the intensity while maintaining the same meaning.

way too infrequently

Substitutes "far too seldom" with "way too infrequently", changing the emphasis and vocabulary.

exceedingly infrequently

Replaces "far too seldom" with a more formal "exceedingly infrequently".

remarkably rarely

Emphasizes the rarity using "remarkably rarely" instead of "far too seldom".

surprisingly uncommonly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the infrequency, altering the tone.

considerably less often

Focuses on the reduced frequency compared to an expected norm.

not nearly often enough

Expresses a desired increase in frequency, shifting the perspective slightly.

on rare occasions

Indicates that something happens only on a few specific instances.

scarcely ever

Conveys a sense of near absence, a stronger expression of infrequency.

almost never

Similar to "scarcely ever", emphasizing the very low probability of occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "far too seldom" in a sentence?

The phrase "far too seldom" is used to emphasize that something occurs much less often than desired or expected. For example, "We see each other "far too seldom" to maintain a close relationship."

What are some alternatives to "far too seldom"?

You can use alternatives like "much too rarely", "way too infrequently", or "not nearly often enough" to express a similar meaning while varying your vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "too far seldom" instead of "far too seldom"?

No, the correct phrasing is "far too seldom". The phrase "too far seldom" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "seldom" and "far too seldom"?

"Seldom" simply means rarely or not often. "Far too seldom" intensifies this meaning, emphasizing that something happens much less often than it should, adding an element of disappointment or concern.