seldom seen

USAGE SUMMARY

'seldom seen' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is not often noticed or observed. For example, "The majestic bald eagle is a seldom seen sight in this part of the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most myriapods are seldom seen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"By being seldom seen /..

The New Yorker

They are seldom seen "in public".

Independent

Overheard were stars seldom seen in Manhattan.

The New Yorker

He was seldom seen or quoted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(He is seldom seen without them).

The New York Times - Magazine

So no wonder it is seldom seen.

The New York Times

Crazy sartorial experiments are seldom seen on these streets.

The Guardian

This would explain why they are so seldom seen.

The New York Times - Arts

​'Bolivia' and 'gourmet' are two words seldom seen together.

Independent

Although seldom seen, Timon of Athens always seems topical.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seldom seen" to add a touch of formality and emphasize the rarity of an occurrence, especially when describing natural phenomena, historical events, or artistic performances.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom seen" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "not often seen" or "rarely seen" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom seen" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing something that is not often observed. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's often used to characterize events, objects, or phenomena that are rare or infrequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seldom seen" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe something that is rare or not often observed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and academic writing. While "seldom seen" is widely accepted, more informal alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. The phrase's authoritative use in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility and utility in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely observed

Emphasizes the infrequency of observation, similar to "seldom seen" but uses a different adverb.

infrequently encountered

Focuses on the lack of regular encounters, highlighting the rarity of the experience.

not often visible

Highlights the lack of visual appearance, emphasizing the aspect of being unseen.

uncommonly noticed

Shifts the focus to the lack of attention or recognition, rather than just visual perception.

hardly ever spotted

Uses a more informal tone, emphasizing the difficulty in finding or seeing something.

scarcely detectable

Emphasizes the difficulty of detecting something, suggesting it is barely perceptible.

not frequently apparent

Focuses on the lack of obviousness or clarity, suggesting something is not easily understood or perceived.

rarely in view

Highlights the absence of something from the field of vision, emphasizing its hidden nature.

unusual to witness

Shifts the perspective to the observer, emphasizing the uncommon nature of the experience of seeing something.

almost never perceived

Emphasizes the lack of perception, either through sight or other senses, highlighting its elusiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom seen" to describe something that is rare or not often observed, like, "The aurora borealis is a "seldom seen" spectacle in this region".

What phrases are similar to "seldom seen"?

Alternatives to "seldom seen" include "rarely observed", "infrequently encountered", or "not often visible".

Is it better to use "seldom seen" or "rarely seen"?

"Seldom seen" and "rarely seen" are quite similar, but "seldom seen" carries a slightly more formal tone. Choose based on the context and desired level of formality.

What does "seldom seen" imply about the subject?

"Seldom seen" implies that the subject is not commonly observed or encountered, often suggesting that it is either rare, hidden, or occurs under specific conditions.