is seldom seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is seldom seen' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something or someone that is not seen often or is rarely seen. For example: The endangered bird species is seldom seen in the wild.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(He is seldom seen without them).

The New York Times - Magazine

So no wonder it is seldom seen.

The New York Times

Unlike Mr Augustine, for instance, he is seldom seen in Tokyo or Taipei.

The Economist

The day begins and ends with Mr Kim, who is seldom seen but always present.

The Economist

The outer layer, called periostracum, is made of organic substance and is seldom seen in fossils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is seldom seen, but his voice can be heard in the forest laughing, whistling, or singing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mouton-Rothschild has a second wine, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton- Rothschild, which is seldom seen in New York City.

The New York Times - Food

The great headmaster is seldom seen, but looms over the narrative "like the god in a Greek play".

The Guardian - Books

While Ms. Priddy dresses simply, Mr. Dunne is seldom seen without a Brooks Brothers cashmere jacket and creased trousers.

The New York Times

Yet, he is seldom seen without a Greek-fisherman-style cap, which helps mask his crossed eyes and crooked smile.

The New York Times

Those in below-the-title supporting roles appear mostly with their shoulders, and a character actor is seldom seen without his belly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is seldom seen", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the rarity or infrequency of the subject. This enhances clarity and provides more informative content for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is seldom seen" when "is never seen" or "is rarely seen" would be more accurate. "Is seldom seen" implies infrequent but possible sightings, not complete absence or extreme rarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is seldom seen" functions as a descriptive statement, typically used to qualify a subject by indicating its infrequency of appearance or observation. Ludwig AI validates this usage pattern with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is seldom seen" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that occurs infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While grammatically sound, consider the degree of rarity you wish to convey and choose alternatives like "is rarely observed" or "is infrequently encountered" if greater emphasis on rarity is needed. Remember clarity in indicating why the subject is infrequently observed for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is rarely observed

Replaces 'seldom' with 'rarely' and 'seen' with 'observed', emphasizing the infrequency of observation.

is infrequently encountered

Substitutes 'seldom' with 'infrequently' and 'seen' with 'encountered', highlighting the lack of common meetings or experiences.

is not often visible

Uses 'not often' instead of 'seldom' and 'visible' in place of 'seen', focusing on the lack of visual appearance.

is uncommonly noticed

Replaces 'seldom' with 'uncommonly' and 'seen' with 'noticed', stressing the unusual nature of something being perceived.

is scarcely perceptible

Changes 'seldom' to 'scarcely' and 'seen' to 'perceptible', emphasizing the difficulty in detecting something.

is almost never spotted

Uses 'almost never' instead of 'seldom' and 'spotted' in place of 'seen', indicating the extreme rarity of detection.

is virtually unknown

Replaces the entire phrase to mean that the thing is almost never seen because it is not known.

is hardly ever detected

Substitutes 'seldom' with 'hardly ever' and 'seen' with 'detected', highlighting the difficulty in finding or noticing something.

is a rare sight

Uses an alternative phrasing to convey that the thing is rarely seen.

is out of sight for the most part

Replaces the entire phrase to mean that the thing is in most cases not seen.

FAQs

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

You can use "is seldom seen" to describe something that does not appear or occur often. For example, "That particular bird species is seldom seen in this region".

What are some alternatives to "is seldom seen"?

Alternatives include "is rarely observed", "is infrequently encountered", or "is not often visible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Both "is seldom seen" and "is rarely seen" are correct and grammatically sound. They are largely interchangeable, although "rarely" might suggest a slightly lower frequency than "seldom".

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

"Is seldom seen" implies that something is not often observed, whereas "is sometimes seen" indicates it occurs occasionally. The former emphasizes infrequency, while the latter highlights the possibility of occurrence.