seldom read

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom read" is correct and usable in written English.
It implies that something does not happen often and is used when talking about something that is not read frequently. For example, "My grandmother has a collection of books that are seldom read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Kennedy seldom read for distraction.

The New York Times - Books

I seldom read what [my husband] writes.

The Guardian

She seldom read beyond the first few lines.

The New York Times - Science

It is seldom read and hardly ever staged.

The New York Times

Like some of his clients, he seldom read anything.

The New Yorker

The earliest, now seldom read, was a book called "It Was Marlowe," published in 1895.

The New York Times - Books

Bill after bill was stashed under desks, where each remained, occasionally kicked but seldom read.

The New York Times

He was an intellectual; she seldom read and knew little of the world.

The New York Times - Books

"People seldom read a book that is given to them," Samuel Johnson said.

The New York Times - Books

If he seldom read them, how did he know they were correct?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

From Robinson's early capture by Moors to the seldom-read sequel "Robinson Crusoe's Vision of the Angelic World", Tufayl's footprints mark the great classic.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seldom read" when you want to imply that a text or work is not popular or frequently accessed by readers. This phrasing is suitable for academic, journalistic, and literary contexts where nuance and precision are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom read" when "never read" is more accurate. "Seldom read" implies infrequent readership, while "never read" indicates a complete absence of readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom read" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle, typically describing a noun (usually a book, document, or type of literature). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom read" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that isn't read frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, "seldom read" serves to indicate that certain works are not widely accessed or popular. While it's generally accepted, care should be taken not to confuse it with "never read". Alternatives such as "rarely perused" or "infrequently read" offer similar meanings but may subtly alter the nuance. In essence, "seldom read" is a versatile and valuable tool for expressing the infrequency of readership in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely perused

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely" and "read" with the more formal "perused", indicating infrequent and careful reading.

infrequently read

Substitutes "seldom" with "infrequently", maintaining a similar meaning of rare occurrence.

not often read

Uses a more explicit and straightforward expression instead of the single-word adverb "seldom".

uncommonly read

Replaces "seldom" with "uncommonly", suggesting a deviation from the norm in reading habits.

scarcely read

Emphasizes the lack of reading with "scarcely", implying a minimal amount of readership.

seldomly read

This is a less common, arguably archaic, variant using "seldomly" instead of "seldom".

not widely read

Focuses on the breadth of readership rather than the frequency, indicating a lack of popularity.

largely unread

Highlights the overall state of being unread, emphasizing that a large portion remains untouched.

little read

Implies a smaller amount of reading activity compared to "seldom read".

mostly unread

Indicates that the majority of something is not read, shifting the emphasis slightly.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom read" to describe books or documents that are not read often. For example: "The ancient manuscript was "seldom read" due to its archaic language".

What are some alternatives to saying "seldom read"?

Alternatives include "rarely perused", "infrequently read", or "not widely read". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "seldomly read" instead of "seldom read"?

While "seldomly" exists, "seldom read" is the more common and accepted phrasing. Using "seldomly" might sound archaic or awkward to modern readers.

What's the difference between "seldom read" and "rarely read"?

"Seldom read" and "rarely read" are very similar in meaning, both indicating infrequent readership. "Rarely read" might suggest an even lower frequency than "seldom read", but they are often used interchangeably.