seldom smiles

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom smiles" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe someone who rarely smiles or is not very cheerful. For example: "My brother seldom smiles, so it's always a surprise to see him show emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Kvasha seldom smiles.

The New York Times - Sports

But the odds may be evening up.Mr D'Alema seldom smiles.

The Economist

"It is a work in progress," Coughlin, who seldom smiles, said Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

He seldom smiles much in his performances, though; the characters he plays are rarely satisfied with themselves enough to let happiness peek through more than occasionally.

The New York Times

There is some competition from Cassius in "Julius Caesar" (who "thinks too much" and "seldom smiles"); but the flawed Shakespearean hero whom Mr Brown has most seemed to resemble is Hamlet, with his "craven scruple/ Of thinking too precisely on th'event".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"She was a child seldom smiled at," the narrator reflects.

The New Yorker

Her lips were full, sultry or sulking, her expression unblinking; she seldom smiled.

The Economist

She enters and leaves the courthouse as quickly as possible, seldom smiling.

The New York Times

But the music seldom smiled, even in sections of the final two movements inspired by folk-dance rhythms.

The New York Times - Arts

He's just happy to watch his friend, Fritjof, "on whom life had seldom smiled, drink his afternoon tea so sanguinely on the walls of Saint Paul".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Lindsay-Abaire is a small, chunky man who seems unusually at home in his own skin and seldom stops smiling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character or person, using "seldom smiles" can subtly convey their personality and emotional state without directly stating that they are unhappy or unfriendly. It adds depth and nuance to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom smiles" as the sole defining characteristic of a character. Provide additional details about their personality, background, and motivations to create a more complex and engaging portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom smiles" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to characterize a person or character. It indicates a lack of frequent smiling, contributing to an overall impression of their personality. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom smiles" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe someone who doesn't smile often. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey a sense of seriousness or reserve. While interchangeable with phrases like "rarely smiles", it offers a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be aware of the potential implications of using this phrase, ensuring it aligns with the intended characterization. Though correct, this phrase appears rarely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely smiles

Replaces "seldom" with "rarely", a synonym with a similar meaning.

hardly ever smiles

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey infrequency.

scarcely smiles

Uses "scarcely" which is similar in meaning to "seldom" and "rarely".

doesn't smile often

Rephrases the sentence to use a more common and direct structure.

infrequently smiles

Replaces "seldom" with the more formal "infrequently".

not prone to smiling

Indicates a general disposition against smiling.

rarely shows emotion

Broader phrase indicating lack of emotional expression, including smiling.

maintains a serious demeanor

Focuses on the outward appearance of seriousness, implying a lack of smiles.

is not known for smiling

Highlights the lack of a reputation for smiling.

seldom expresses joy

Shifts focus from smiling to expressing the emotion of joy, which smiling often indicates.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom smiles" to describe someone who rarely or infrequently smiles, such as "The stoic detective "seldom smiles", even when solving a case".

What is a synonym for "seldom smiles"?

Alternatives to "seldom smiles" include "rarely smiles", "hardly ever smiles", or "doesn't smile often".

Is it more appropriate to say "seldom smiles" or "rarely smiles"?

"Seldom smiles" and "rarely smiles" are quite similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Seldom" is slightly more formal and less common in everyday conversation than "rarely".

What does it imply when someone "seldom smiles"?

When someone ""seldom smiles"", it can imply they are serious, reserved, unhappy, or preoccupied. However, context is crucial, as it could also simply be a personal characteristic unrelated to their emotional state.