seldom found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seldom found' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is not often encountered or seen. For example, you could say: "The elusive white tiger is a rare species, seldom found in the wild."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Intact organs are seldom found.

The New York Times

And he and his wife, Kathy, seldom found a dance floor they couldn't dominate.

The New York Times

"He has qualities seldom found in a heldentenor," Mr. Gockley explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Commonplace in the South, they were seldom found in New Jersey.

The New York Times

A. Tulips and corn are seldom found in the North American woods.

The New York Times

And I've seldom found circus acts beautiful, as opposed to exciting or fun.

The New York Times - Arts

Dempsey seldom found himself with the ball, however, with just a single noteworthy strike.

The New York Times - Sports

They feel organically linked to their subject in ways seldom found on Broadway these days.

The New York Times

Huitlacoche, or corn smut, is a Mexican delicacy seldom found outside its native country.

The New York Times

They are seldom found in natural fats except as the products of partial hydrolysis of triglycerides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet as an eternal if superannuated student I seldom found my attention wandering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the distribution or prevalence of something, consider using "seldom found" to accurately convey its rarity or infrequency. For example, "This species is seldom found outside of its natural habitat."

Common error

Avoid using "seldom found" when you actually mean something is rarely created or manufactured. "Seldom found" refers to something that exists but is not often located, not something that is infrequently made. For instance, use "rarely produced" instead of "seldom found" when discussing the output of a factory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom found" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is rarely encountered or discovered. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom found" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that conveys the rarity or infrequency of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals that "seldom found" frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral, slightly formal register. Its function is to emphasize the uncommon nature of a subject, and alternatives include "rarely encountered" and "infrequently observed". When using this phrase, be sure to distinguish it from concepts that relate to something that is rarely made instead of rarely located. Ludwig’s examples provide clear illustrations of its appropriate usage across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom seen

Emphasizes the visual aspect, indicating that something is not often visible or observed.

rarely encountered

Replaces "found" with "encountered", emphasizing the experience of finding something rare.

infrequently observed

Substitutes "seldom" and "found" with synonyms that highlight the infrequency of seeing or noticing something.

uncommonly discovered

Uses "uncommonly" instead of "seldom" and "discovered" instead of "found", suggesting a rare or unusual find.

not often located

Replaces "seldom" with "not often" and "found" with "located", providing a more literal and straightforward alternative.

scarcely present

Shifts the focus to the presence of something, indicating that it is only barely or hardly there.

rare to see

Simplifies the phrase, emphasizing the rarity of visually encountering something.

unusual to find

Highlights the unusual nature of the finding, rather than just the infrequency.

hardly ever present

Emphasizes the infrequency with "hardly ever", indicating a very low chance of finding something.

infrequently met

Focuses on the encounter or meeting of something that is rare or uncommon.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom found" to describe something that is not often encountered or discovered. For example, "True altruism is "seldom found" in the animal kingdom".

What can I say instead of "seldom found"?

Alternatives to "seldom found" include "rarely encountered", "infrequently observed", or "uncommonly discovered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rarely found" instead of "seldom found"?

Yes, "rarely found" is a suitable alternative to "seldom found". Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating that something is not often located or encountered. However, "seldom found" has a slightly more formal tone.

What is the difference between "seldom found" and "not often found"?

"Seldom found" and "not often found" are very close in meaning. "Seldom" is a more formal and concise way of saying "not often". Using "seldom found" might make your writing sound slightly more sophisticated.