seldom more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seldom more" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs infrequently or rarely, often in comparison to another situation or context. Example: "In her career, she has seldom more than a few days off at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is seldom more than 24 inches (60 cm) long.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The island has always mattered, seldom more than now.

The Economist

The Bach Festival Orchestra was competent, seldom more.

The New York Times - Arts

Schmidt has thrown harder but is seldom more accurate.

The New York Times - Sports

They are slender plants that are seldom more than 30 cm (12 inches) tall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His progress was slow at first: a few miles a day, seldom more than ten.

The New Yorker

Furniture is seldom more than a stool or two, although a few may possess tables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its mats of fuzzy gray-green leaves are seldom more than a foot tall.

The New York Times

Other dishes, "share plates," are modestly portioned and seldom more than $12.

The New York Times

The palm-leaf sheets varied in length, but were seldom more than a few inches wide.

The New York Times - Arts

But animation has always had its morbid, nightmarish component, and seldom more than with the Fleischers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seldom more" to subtly indicate that something is usually limited or constrained, adding a touch of sophistication to your writing. For example, "The wait is seldom more than a few minutes" implies efficiency without explicitly stating it.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom more" in very casual conversation. It's a somewhat formal phrase, so simpler alternatives like "rarely" or "not often" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom more" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates a limited or infrequent occurrence beyond a certain threshold. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and readily usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Seldom more" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates infrequency or limitation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a versatile expression found across various reputable sources like The New York Times, Encyclopedia Britannica, and The Economist. While it maintains a neutral register, it's best suited for written communication, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. When aiming for simpler expressions, consider alternatives like "rarely more" or "not often more", but keep in mind that "seldom more" adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely more

Emphasizes the infrequency of exceeding a certain amount or degree.

almost never more

Emphasizes the extreme rarity of exceeding a certain amount or degree.

hardly ever more

Highlights the almost complete absence of exceeding a specific limit.

infrequently more

Focuses on the lack of frequent instances of surpassing a certain level.

seldom greater

Replaces "more" with "greater" to indicate a similar infrequent comparison of magnitude.

uncommonly more

Focuses on the atypical or unusual aspect of surpassing a certain level.

scarcely more

Indicates a deficiency or insufficiency in exceeding a certain quantity.

infrequently greater

Combines infrequency with a magnitude comparison.

not often more

Highlights the uncommon nature of exceeding a specified quantity.

barely more

Stresses the marginal extent to which something exceeds a given limit.

FAQs

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

Use "seldom more" to indicate that something happens infrequently beyond a certain point. For example, "His visits were "seldom more" than once a year" shows the rarity of his visits.

What are some alternatives to "seldom more"?

You can use alternatives such as "rarely more", "hardly ever more", or "infrequently more" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "rarely more" is a suitable alternative to "seldom more". Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating that something does not often exceed a certain limit.

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

"Seldom more" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the infrequency with a touch of elegance, while "not often more" is more straightforward and commonly used in everyday language.