seldom see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seldom see" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is rarely observed or encountered. Example: "I seldom see my old friends since we all moved to different cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now we seldom see any. . . .

The New Yorker

I seldom see families swimming together.

Independent

You seldom see it in print.

The Economist

You seldom see that from him".

The Guardian - Sport

"I so seldom see anything that's not worthwhile at all".

The New York Times

The dead get buried but we seldom see a grave.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, opera houses today seldom see it that way.

The New York Times - Arts

"You seldom see him," said Rod Scott, a neighbor.

The New York Times

The two seldom see each other, though they do write.

The New York Times - Books

You see lines, but you seldom see line: a single coherent connection from finger to toe.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet nonwhite Latino children seldom see themselves in books written for young readers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seldom see", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality you intend to convey. While grammatically sound, it may sound slightly formal in casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom see" excessively in informal writing or speech. While correct, it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more casual alternatives like "rarely see" or "hardly ever see" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom see" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the infrequency of a visual experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seldom see" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the infrequency of visual experiences. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While slightly formal, it is a versatile phrase with several alternative wording options such as "rarely observe" or "infrequently witness". When using "seldom see", be mindful of the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate and that the message is as effective and powerful as it can be.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom witness

Replaces the word "see" with its synonym "witness", maintaining the original meaning.

hardly ever see

Replaces "seldom" with the slightly more informal "hardly ever", indicating a similar low frequency.

rarely observe

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", emphasizing the infrequency of observation.

infrequently witness

Substitutes both "seldom" and "see" with synonyms, highlighting the rarity of witnessing something.

hardly ever notice

Uses "hardly ever" instead of "seldom", focusing on the lack of noticing something.

scarcely perceive

Emphasizes the difficulty or rarity of perceiving something.

rarely encounter

Focuses on the infrequency of encountering something or someone.

infrequently view

Replaces "see" with "view", suggesting a more formal observation that happens rarely.

rarely spot

Using "spot" instead of "see" implies quickly noticing something, but the rarity remains.

uncommonly behold

Replaces "seldom" with "uncommonly" and "see" with "behold" which makes it more formal but also more uncommon.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom see" to describe something you don't often witness. For example, "I "seldom see" such dedication in today's youth" or "We "seldom see" that kind of behavior anymore".

What are some alternatives to "seldom see"?

Alternatives include "rarely observe", "infrequently witness", or "hardly ever notice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "seldom see" formal or informal?

"Seldom see" leans towards the formal side. While grammatically correct, it might sound slightly out of place in very casual conversations. Alternatives like "rarely see" or "hardly ever see" can be more suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "seldom see" and "rarely see"?

Both "seldom see" and "rarely see" express infrequency, but "seldom" is generally considered slightly more formal or literary than "rarely". The choice between them often depends on the desired tone and context.