seldom has a

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "seldom has a" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something rarely happens or is the case. For example: Seldom has a film enjoyed such acclaim from both critics and audiences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Seldom has a substitution seemed more inspired.

The New York Times - Sports

SELDOM has a glimmer darkened so quickly.

The Economist

Seldom has a title been more apposite.

The Guardian - Music

Seldom has a long-delayed journey been so ill-timed.

The New York Times

Seldom has a trainer projected himself so vaingloriously.

The New York Times - Sports

Seldom has a split screen yielded such vigorous facial calisthenics.

The New York Times

Seldom has a more unrelievedly embittered play been written.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seldom has a single discovery generated such wide public interest".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seldom has a frenzied ovation been more deserved.

The New York Times - Arts

And seldom has a promise sounded more like a threat.

The Guardian - Film

Seldom has a man warmed to his topic so exuberantly.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seldom has a", ensure the sentence maintains a formal tone, as it is often found in written or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "seldom has a" in close proximity, as it can diminish the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your vocabulary and sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom has a" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb and indicating the infrequency of an event or state. Ludwig examples confirm its use in emphasizing rarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seldom has a" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase used to emphasize the rarity of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, consider its emphasis on infrequency and maintain consistency in tone. Alternative phrases, such as "rarely has a" or "hardly ever has a", can provide similar meaning. Overall, "seldom has a" serves as a potent tool for highlighting exceptional circumstances in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely has a

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", indicating a low occurrence rate.

hardly ever has a

Uses "hardly ever" instead of "seldom" to express infrequent occurrence.

infrequently has a

Employs "infrequently" to denote something that happens not often.

scarcely has a

Substitutes "seldom" with "scarcely", suggesting a minimal presence.

almost never has a

Replaces "seldom" with "almost never", indicating near absence.

not often has a

Uses a more straightforward "not often" to mean rarely.

uncommonly has a

Replaces "seldom" with "uncommonly", describing something unusual.

on few occasions has a

Expresses the idea of rarity with a longer, more formal construction.

it is unusual for a

Shifts the structure to emphasize the unusual nature of the event.

it is rare for a

Uses "rare" to highlight the infrequency, changing the sentence structure.

FAQs

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

Use "seldom has a" to emphasize the rarity of an event or situation. For example, "Seldom has a film garnered such universal praise."

What are some alternatives to "seldom has a"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely has a", "hardly ever has a", or "infrequently has a" depending on the context.

Is "seldom has a" formal or informal?

"Seldom has a" is considered formal. In informal contexts, you might prefer "rarely" or "not often".

What's the difference between "seldom has a" and "rarely has a"?

While both convey a sense of infrequency, "seldom has a" carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the rarity compared to "rarely has a".