seldom active

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom active" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to describe something that does not happen or occur very often. For example: "The volcano is seldom active, so it is safe to visit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This question, "What best describes your activity level?" had three response options: vigorously active for at least 30 min, 3 times per week; moderately active at least 3 times per week; or seldom active, preferring sedentary activities.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

These officers held senior commands throughout the war, but seldom active ones.

Wikipedia

Girls reporting themselves as highly active had BMD levels 0.093 g/cm, 0.090 g/cm and 0.046 g/cm higher (p < 0.001) than their more seldom active peers at femoral neck, total hip and total body respectively.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Boys who reported themselves highly active had BMD levels 0.125 g/cm, 0.133 g/cm and 0.066 g/cm higher (p < 0.001) than their more seldom active peers at femoral neck, total hip and total body respectively.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

About 20% self-reported fair or poor health, 38% reported one or more falls in the past 12 months, 49% reported that their memory was worse than five years ago, 15% reported being seldom active and 12% reported that they were less active compared to their peers.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The total score on the balance assessment, limiting PA due to fear of falling, and all of the gait measures (unsteady gait, gait-path, gait-trunk, and gait abnormality) had stronger positive correlations with relative PA, compared to absolute PA. a Response categories: i) seldom active; ii) moderately active; or iii) vigorously active.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

BMC levels at total hip and total body were not significantly increased in girls reported moderate activity compared to those reported seldom activity, but the highly active group had a 2.879 g (p < 0.001) and 98.972 g (p < 0.05) increase at these sites respectively.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Seldom has active wear looked so big and bold.

The New York Times

Pulmonary carcinoid tumours are seldom hormonally active, although they are the commonest cause of ectopic ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome.

Cancer Imaging

One question measured absolute physical activity (seldom, moderately, vigorously active) and one measured relative physical activity (more, about as, less active than peers).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Specifically, one question measured absolute PA (seldom, moderately, vigorously active) and the other measured relative PA (more, about as, less active than peers).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing levels of physical activity, use "seldom active" to indicate a low frequency, contrasting it with "moderately active" or "vigorously active".

Common error

Avoid using "seldom active" when you mean completely inactive. "Seldom active" implies some activity, however infrequent. If there is no activity at all, use "inactive" or "sedentary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom active" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by specifying the frequency of its activity. It uses an adverb of infrequency ("seldom") to qualify the adjective "active". As Ludwig AI confirms, this is standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom active" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, typically employed to describe something that isn't very active. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is usually used to describe something that does not happen or occur very often. While uncommon, its usage spans across scientific, news, and general contexts. It's important to distinguish it from "inactive", as "seldom active" implies some level of activity, however infrequent. When communicating about physical activities, using the phrase will help you to be more precise about different activity levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely active

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", indicating a similar low frequency of activity.

infrequently active

Substitutes "seldom" with "infrequently", providing a more formal synonym.

not often active

Uses a more explicit phrasing to convey the infrequent nature of the activity.

sporadically active

Implies that activity occurs at irregular intervals.

occasionally active

Suggests activity happens now and then, but not regularly.

hardly ever active

Emphasizes the minimal frequency of being active.

barely active

Indicates a state of minimal activity, close to inactivity.

almost never active

Phrases emphasizes how close is to zero.

not usually active

Substitutes "seldom" with "not usually", creating a different emphasis.

dormant

Uses a single word to imply a state of inactivity or latency.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom active" to describe a person or thing that is not often active. For example: "The volcano is "seldom active", so it is considered safe." or "Individuals who are "seldom active" may experience bone density issues."

What's a synonym for "seldom active"?

Alternatives to "seldom active" include "rarely active", "infrequently active", or "not often active". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "seldom active" or "inactive"?

"Seldom active" suggests occasional activity, while "inactive" implies no activity at all. Choose the term that most accurately reflects the situation. You might be "seldom active", but not completely inactive.

What are the benefits of avoiding being "seldom active"?

Avoiding being "seldom active" and engaging in regular physical activity can lead to improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones, and a better overall quality of life. Even moderate activity is better than being "seldom active".