seldom encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seldom encounter" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to rarely come across or experience something. Example: "I seldom encounter traffic on my commute to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But there is one word you seldom encounter: boring.

The New York Times - Books

Rich and poor seldom encounter each other in the United States.

The New York Times

More significantly, Lee's wife, Laura, isn't fully brought into being, perhaps because we seldom encounter her through the medium of her own thoughts.

The New York Times - Books

Yet he tried to turn this to advantage by singing Florestan's impassioned soliloquy from his prison chamber with a lyricism and poignancy that you seldom encounter.

The New York Times - Arts

This was a challenge the Bangladesh batsmen seldom encounter: sideways movement on a relatively pacey pitch without the benefit of sunshine.

The Guardian - Sport

Radiologists seldom encounter parasitic diseases in their daily practice in most of Europe, although the incidence of these diseases is increasing due to migration and tourism from/to endemic areas.

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Its remarkable tranquillity and beauty were qualities seldom encountered.

The Guardian

They crop up fairly often on orchestral programs, yet they are seldom encountered en masse.

The New Yorker

Although seldom encountered, the bushmaster is dangerous, with a potentially lethal venom.

Britannica

For Duval, the last four years have been a story of decline seldom encountered in any sport.

The Guardian - Sport

However, since eggs move through market channels rapidly, the modern consumer seldom encounters spoiled eggs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seldom encounter" to describe situations that are not common or typical. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the infrequency of the event or experience. For example: "Travelers seldom encounter such breathtaking scenery."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "seldom encounter" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "rarely see" or "don't often find" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom encounter" functions as an adverb-verb combination. It modifies the verb "encounter", indicating the frequency (or lack thereof) with which an action or event occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seldom encounter" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is not frequently experienced. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and frequently found across diverse sources like news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, suggesting a versatile yet slightly formal register. While "seldom encounter" is suitable for describing unusual or infrequent events, remember that more casual alternatives exist for everyday conversation. When writing, consider the tone and context to determine whether "seldom encounter" is the most appropriate choice, or if a more common alternative like "rarely see" might be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely come across

Focuses on the infrequency of finding or experiencing something.

infrequently meet

Emphasizes the lack of regular meetings or encounters.

scarcely find

Highlights the difficulty in locating or experiencing something.

hardly ever see

Uses a more conversational tone to express the rarity of sightings.

unlikely to meet

Focuses on the low probability of an encounter.

not often face

Highlights that something is not a common experience.

seldomly experience

Less common adverb form, emphasizing the rarity of an experience.

uncommonly observe

More formal, emphasizing the infrequency of an observation.

infrequently witness

Similar to observe, but with a stronger sense of bearing witness.

unusual to find

Focuses on the rarity of finding something in a particular state or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "seldom encounter" to describe something you rarely experience or come across. For example, "Tourists "seldom encounter" such authentic local traditions".

What's a more formal synonym for "seldom encounter"?

A more formal synonym could be "rarely come across" or "infrequently meet". While "seldom encounter" is already quite formal, these options emphasize the rarity and formality even further.

What can I say instead of "seldom encounter" in casual conversation?

In more casual conversation, you could say "rarely see", "hardly ever find", or "don't often meet". These options are less formal and sound more natural in everyday speech.

Is "seldomly encounter" a correct alternative to "seldom encounter"?

While "seldomly" is an adverb, "seldom encounter" is the more common and widely accepted phrasing. "Seldomly encounter" is grammatically correct but sounds awkward to modern ears. It is better to stick to "seldom encounter".