he seldom does

USAGE SUMMARY

'he seldom does' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe something someone does rarely or infrequently. For example, "He seldom does his homework on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He seldom does much advance research.

The New York Times

Red Bulls Coach Hans Backe did something at halftime that he seldom does: he stood for a live interview with Kyle Martino of NBC.

The New York Times

— On Thursday morning, on a concrete patio out behind the Chicago Cubs' spring training complex, Joe Maddon did something he seldom does.

The Washington Post

The Rangers opened the scoring 9 37 into the game when Graves scored on a slap shot, which he seldom does.

The New York Times - Sports

He seldom does interviews on his program, fearful that slow-talking guests might gum up the works, and dispatches from correspondents are always ad-libbed, for freshness.

The New York Times - Style

Stanton threw before the game, which he seldom does, and that was a signal to Stottlemyre that he was not pleased with the way he has pitched.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But in fagt, acourrse, he seldom did that.

The Guardian

Mr. Bush mentioned Senator John Kerry, whom he defeated in the 2004 election, something he seldom did even during the campaign.

The New York Times

But yesterday Randolph opened up in a way that he seldom did during the season, conceding that the team may have been overconfident and acknowledging that his frustration has kept him awake at night.

The New York Times - Sports

After pleading guilty and asking politely for a fine reduction, I was informed by Superior Court Judge Robert P. Applegate that as well as making a fine reduction, he could also increase my fine, and that he seldom did either.

Los Angeles Times

Why would you, Rodney Crowell, want to help me make a record?" He said, "Well, seldom does a producer get to see someone really going through a change and is giving into it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he seldom does" to subtly imply that someone's actions are infrequent without being overly critical. It adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he seldom does" in casual conversations. It can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for more common phrases like "he rarely does" or "he doesn't often do" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he seldom does" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the infrequency with which a subject performs a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, though its formality might make it less suitable for casual contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he seldom does" is a grammatically correct way to express that someone rarely performs a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While its usage is relatively uncommon compared to alternatives like "he rarely does", it adds a touch of formality to your writing. Primarily found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to highlight infrequent behaviors or actions, making it suitable for descriptive and objective writing. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing between "he seldom does" and its more common alternatives. To improve your writing, avoid using "he seldom does" in casual speech as there are more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He rarely does

Focuses on the infrequency of the action, similar to "he seldom does".

He infrequently does

Emphasizes the lack of frequency in a more formal tone.

He hardly ever does

Highlights the almost non-existent occurrence of the action.

He scarcely ever does

Similar to 'hardly ever', suggesting a very low probability.

He doesn't often do

A more common and direct way of expressing infrequent action.

He does not frequently do

A formal construction emphasizing the lack of frequency.

It's not often that he does

Shifts the emphasis to the rarity of the event.

He does that only occasionally

Highlights that the action happens only now and then.

He only does it sometimes

Indicates that the action is not a regular occurrence.

He is not in the habit of doing that

Suggests that the action is outside of his usual behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "he seldom does" in a sentence?

You can use "he seldom does" to indicate that someone rarely performs a particular action. For example, "He seldom does his chores without being reminded."

What are some alternatives to "he seldom does"?

You can use alternatives like "he rarely does", "he infrequently does", or "he doesn't often do".

Is "he seldom does" formal or informal?

"He seldom does" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversation, it might sound a bit stiff. Consider using "he rarely does" or "he doesn't often do" for a more relaxed tone.

What's the difference between "he seldom does" and "he never does"?

"He seldom does" implies that something happens very rarely, while "he never does" suggests that it never happens at all. The former allows for the possibility of the action occurring, however infrequent, whereas the latter indicates absolute absence.