seldom do

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something doesn't happen very often. For example, "Seldom do we get such a beautiful day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I seldom do.

Independent

But we seldom do.

Independent

Preventive measures seldom do.

Independent

They seldom do.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now three-quarters seldom do.

The Economist

STATISTICS seldom do justice to Africa.

The Economist

"Procrastinators," he realized, "seldom do absolutely nothing".

The New York Times - Science

Numbers speak for themselves; intangibles seldom do.

The New York Times - Sports

But then left-handers seldom do.

The New York Times - Sports

But very seldom do these guests ever invite me back.

The New York Times

Exhibitions often claim to rediscover forgotten geniuses, and seldom do.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seldom do", ensure correct subject-verb agreement in the subsequent clause. For example, "Seldom do they agree" is correct, while "Seldom does they agree" is not.

Common error

Avoid using standard sentence structure after "seldom do". The correct form involves inversion, where the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. Instead of saying "Seldom do people realize", don't mistakenly say "Seldom people do realize".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom do" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb in a sentence, indicating how often an action occurs. The phrase causes an inversion, where the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. As Ludwig AI explains, this structure is grammatically correct and common in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seldom do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that adds emphasis to the infrequency of an action. It's most commonly found in news and media, with occasional appearances in scientific and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in creating a formal tone. Remember to maintain the correct inverted sentence structure, placing the auxiliary verb before the subject. Consider using alternatives like "rarely do" or "infrequently do" for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely do

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", another adverb of frequency, keeping the sentence structure intact.

infrequently do

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

they scarcely do

Replaces "seldom" with "scarcely", indicating a minimal occurrence.

hardly ever do

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate a low frequency of action.

not often do they

Maintains the inversion but uses "not often" instead of "seldom".

they do not often

Rephrases the sentence to use a more common word order, avoiding the inversion.

they infrequently perform

Uses "infrequently" and replaces "do" with "perform" to add a layer of formality and change the verb.

they rarely undertake

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely" and "do" with "undertake", offering a more formal alternative.

they do not frequently

Rephrases to avoid inversion and uses "frequently" instead of "seldom".

it is uncommon for them to

Completely restructures the sentence to convey the same meaning without using "seldom" or inversion.

FAQs

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

"Seldom do" introduces an inversion, where the auxiliary verb precedes the subject. For example, "Seldom do we see such dedication" illustrates this structure effectively.

What are some alternatives to "seldom do"?

Alternatives include "rarely do", "infrequently do", or "hardly ever do", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "seldom do"?

Yes, "seldom do" is grammatically correct when used with inversion, where the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. It's a more formal way of expressing infrequency.

What's the difference between "seldom do" and "rarely do"?

While both express infrequency, "seldom do" might carry a slightly more formal tone compared to "rarely do". The choice often depends on the context and desired style.