is seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is seldom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens infrequently or rarely. Example: "She is seldom seen at the office these days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is seldom.

The New Yorker

Growth is seldom random.

Encyclopedia Britannica

FINANCE is seldom romantic.

The Economist

She is seldom alone.

The New York Times

Pyrazine is seldom prepared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is seldom exported.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Life is seldom easy.

The New York Times

It is seldom neutral.

Harvard Business Review

That is seldom enough.

The New York Times

It is seldom staged.

The New York Times

The effect is seldom lasting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is seldom", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of infrequency. Choose stronger alternatives like "rarely" or "hardly ever" if you want to emphasize the rarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is seldom" when the event never occurs or is extremely rare. In such cases, use "never" or "almost never" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is seldom" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the infrequency of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is seldom" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express that something occurs infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. While versatile, it's important to choose stronger alternatives if you want to emphasize extreme rarity. As evidenced by the examples, "is seldom" is particularly common in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely occurs

Focuses on the infrequency of an event's occurrence.

hardly ever happens

Emphasizes the near absence of an event.

infrequently takes place

Stresses the uncommon nature of an event's occurrence in a more formal tone.

scarcely ever occurs

Highlights the limited frequency of an event.

is not often

Presents a straightforward contrast to frequent occurrences.

uncommonly happens

Stresses the unusual nature of an event.

barely happens

Indicates that something almost doesn't happen.

infrequently arises

Highlights the rare emergence of a situation or event.

is atypically

Focuses on the deviation from the norm.

is sporadically

Suggests irregular or intermittent occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "is seldom" in a sentence?

The phrase "is seldom" indicates that something happens infrequently. For example, "She "is seldom" late for work."

What can I say instead of "is seldom"?

You can use alternatives such as "rarely occurs", "hardly ever happens", or "infrequently takes place" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is seldom" or "is rarely"?

Both "is seldom" and "is rarely" are correct and convey a similar meaning of infrequency. The choice depends on personal preference and stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "is seldom" and "is sometimes"?

"Is seldom" indicates that something happens infrequently, whereas "is sometimes" suggests that something occurs occasionally but not predictably. The key difference lies in the degree of infrequency.