seldom drinks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seldom drinks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who infrequently consumes alcoholic beverages or drinks in general. Example: "He seldom drinks, preferring to enjoy a night out with friends without alcohol."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He reckons he spends about $1,500 a year on his habit, though he insists that he seldom drinks more than one beer a day.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He seldom drank, my father, and the purchase surprised me.

The New York Times

I seldom drink spirits, but I like a glass of red wine, sometimes a beer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They seldom drink water, obtaining sufficient moisture from their diet of seeds, stems, buds, fruit, and insects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fitness buff who forswore coffee and tobacco and who seldom drank, he has always been proud of his toughness and physical strength.

The New York Times - Magazine

Burnham would not smoke and seldom drank alcohol, fearing these habits would injure the acuteness of his sense of smell.

Wikipedia

I might have coffee, but it is seldom drank without one or two returns to the microwave.

Huffington Post

"The French seldom drank after the wine was cleared away with the meal -- wine is a good, not a conversation enabler to be poured hours after the dinner".

Huffington Post

I seldom drink even part of this water served; what happens to all those full or partially full glasses that are cleared away at the end?

Los Angeles Times

Koalas produce dry faecal pellets to conserve water, as they seldom drink [ 4].

BMC Genomics

High stress family physician who seldom drank alcohol and smoked a pipe occasionally.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seldom drinks", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to alcoholic beverages specifically or drinks in general. Clarity avoids misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom drinks" in informal settings, as it can sound stilted. Opt for more casual alternatives like "rarely drinks" or "hardly ever drinks" for a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom drinks" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb, indicating the infrequency of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show it describing habits or preferences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seldom drinks" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the infrequent consumption of beverages. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and examples highlight its usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While it is more formal than alternatives like "rarely drinks" or "hardly ever drinks", "seldom drinks" serves to clearly indicate a pattern of infrequent drinking. Consider the context when using this phrase to ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely drinks

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", a direct synonym indicating infrequency.

hardly ever drinks

Uses "hardly ever" to emphasize the rarity of drinking.

infrequently drinks

Substitutes "seldom" with the more formal "infrequently".

scarcely drinks

Employs "scarcely" to denote a minimal amount of drinking.

drinks occasionally

Uses "occasionally" to suggest that drinking happens only from time to time.

does not often drink

Rephrases the sentence using "does not often" to express the lack of frequency.

drinks little

Focuses on the small quantity of drinks consumed, implying infrequency.

abstains mostly

Highlights a general pattern of abstinence, with rare exceptions.

is not a frequent drinker

Describes the subject as someone who doesn't drink frequently.

keeps drinking to a minimum

Indicates a conscious effort to limit drinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom drinks" to describe someone who rarely consumes beverages. For example: "He "seldom drinks" soda, preferring water instead."

What's a more casual alternative to "seldom drinks"?

Alternatives include "rarely drinks" or "hardly ever drinks". These options are more common in everyday conversation.

Is it correct to say "seldom drinks alcohol"?

Yes, "seldom drinks alcohol" is correct. It specifies that the person infrequently consumes alcoholic beverages.

What is the difference between "seldom drinks" and "never drinks"?

"Seldom drinks" implies infrequent consumption, while "never drinks" indicates complete abstinence.