seldom less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seldom less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is usually not below a certain level or standard. Example: "The project requires a budget that is seldom less than $10,000 to ensure quality results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A little hokey, then, but seldom less than absorbing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Heart Broke In is seldom less than compelling.

The Guardian - Books

Monthly precipitation is seldom less than 10 inches in the Colombian Llanos between April and November.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, from the heart of the confusion, a show takes shape that's seldom less than compelling.

The Guardian

It's part Gothic, part kaleidoscopic novel of ideas, part lurid celebrity potboiler, and it is seldom less than engrossing.

The New York Times - Books

"It's seldom less than an $80 million investment," Mr. Lord concluded, and requires a separate, often substantial, operating budget.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

According to the anthropologist Dorothy Carrington, "the traditional Corsican village seldom stands less than 20 or so kilometres from the sea".

The Guardian - Travel

The findings showed that almost all nurses had asked, advised, assessed, and assisted in the previous year, even if only seldom, but less than half did so frequently.

BMC Nursing

These symptoms gradually increase in the part first affected; and at an uncertain period, but seldom in less than twelve months or more, the morbid influence is felt in some other part.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Subjective reporting of nocturnal sweating on a frequency scale of 1 5: (1) never or very seldom, (2) less than once a week, (3) once to twice a week, (43 5–5 times a week and (5) every night or almost every night.

BMJ Open

The response alternatives for those questions were on a frequency scale of 1 5: (1) never or very seldom, (2) less than once a week, (3) once to twice a week, (4) 3–5 times a week and (5) every day or almost every day of the week.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seldom less than", ensure that the comparison is clear and the minimum value or standard is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The budget is seldom less than $10,000."

Common error

Avoid using "seldom less than" when you actually mean "never less than" or "always greater than or equal to". "Seldom" implies an exception, so be sure that exceptions are possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom less than" functions as a comparative, typically used to establish a lower bound or minimum threshold. It indicates that a value or quantity is usually not below a specific point, while acknowledging that exceptions may occur. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seldom less than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a typical minimum or standard, acknowledging potential exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct in English. Its presence in diverse sources like news articles, scientific papers, and encyclopedias underscores its versatility. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the comparison and minimum value are explicitly stated. Alternatives such as "rarely below" or "almost always at least" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom under

A shorter, more direct synonym.

rarely below

Emphasizes the infrequency of falling below a certain level.

hardly under

Highlights the difficulty of being below a specific value.

typically no less than

Focuses on the typical minimum that is maintained.

almost always at least

Focuses on the consistent attainment of a certain minimum.

virtually never below

Indicates an extremely low probability of being less than a certain amount.

scarcely beneath

Suggests an uncommon occurrence of being below a given point.

infrequently lower than

Highlights the rare instances of being lower than a specific value.

not often under

Indicates that it is uncommon to be below a certain level.

uncommonly beneath

Emphasizes the unusual nature of being less than something.

FAQs

How can I use "seldom less than" in a sentence?

Use "seldom less than" to indicate that something is almost always above a certain minimum. For instance, "The waiting time is "seldom less than" 30 minutes."

What is an alternative to saying "seldom less than"?

You can use phrases like "rarely below", "almost always at least", or "typically no less than" as alternatives to "seldom less than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rarely less than" instead of "seldom less than"?

Yes, "rarely less than" is a correct and similar alternative. Both phrases indicate that something is not often below a certain level or standard.

What's the difference between "seldom less than" and "never less than"?

"Seldom less than" implies that there are occasional instances when something might be below a certain level, while "never less than" means that something is always at or above that level. The former allows for exceptions; the latter does not.