it seldom works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seldom works" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something rarely functions or is effective in a given context. Example: "I’ve tried using that method multiple times, but it seldom works for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It seldom works.

The New York Times

It seldom works smoothly or speedily.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, it seldom works like that.

The Guardian - Money

Yet while it remains a fixture in the canon of modern drama, it seldom works onstage.

The New York Times

But "it seldom works to have a friend evaluating you," says Watkins.

Harvard Business Review

And it seldom works as well as it does with creamy vegetable soups.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But so far, it has seldom worked out that way.

The New York Times

An interesting choice of words, but it has seldom worked in Africa before, with billions of international aid vanishing into black hole upon black hole of corruption.

Huffington Post

Choreography by committee seldom works, and it did not in "The Other Side," an American premiere presented by Jonathan Hollander's Battery Dance Company on Wednesday afternoon at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

The New York Times - Arts

You could bend down some of the side branches and fasten them to the base, but their urge to grow up is so strong that this seldom works as well as it seems it should.

The New York Times

It's part of a story, and if the story involves nakedness, then what's so bad about it - though I think nakedness seldom works as well as something that leaves things to the imagination".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seldom works", ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it seldom works" can sound slightly informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "it rarely succeeds" or "it is not typically effective".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seldom works" functions as a statement expressing that something does not often achieve the desired result. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seldom works" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that communicates that something is not often effective. According to Ludwig, while acceptable, it's more frequent in news and media contexts and less common in highly formal or scientific writing, where alternatives might be preferred. Several alternatives, such as "it rarely succeeds" or "it is usually ineffective", offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. Overall, understanding the context is key to choosing the most appropriate phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, "it seldom works" serves as a useful expression for conveying skepticism and low expectations, but its impact can be enhanced with careful consideration of the audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it rarely works

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", a synonym with a similar degree of formality.

it rarely succeeds

Focuses on the lack of success, replacing "works" with "succeeds".

it hardly ever works

Uses "hardly ever" to emphasize the infrequency of success.

it infrequently works

Replaces "seldom" with "infrequently", a more formal synonym.

it scarcely works

Uses "scarcely", which suggests that the situation is even less likely to produce a result.

it occasionally fails

Shifts the focus to failure rather than the lack of success; less direct.

it doesn't often work

A more conversational alternative, using "doesn't often" instead of "seldom".

it's usually ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of effectiveness rather than the frequency of working.

it is not typically effective

A more formal way of expressing that something is not usually effective.

it barely functions

Focuses on the functionality aspect, suggesting it almost doesn't work at all.

FAQs

How can I use "it seldom works" in a sentence?

You can use "it seldom works" to express that something rarely functions or is effective in a given situation. For example, "I've tried that approach many times, but "it seldom works"".

What can I say instead of "it seldom works"?

You can use alternatives like "it rarely succeeds", "it hardly ever works", or "it is usually ineffective" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seldom works" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, ""it seldom works"" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. In highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "it infrequently succeeds".

What's the difference between "it seldom works" and "it never works"?

"It seldom works" implies that something occasionally works but is not reliable, while "it never works" means it is completely ineffective. The former suggests a low probability of success, while the latter indicates no possibility of success.