seldom used

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom used" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happens infrequently or rarely. For example, "The trail is seldom used, so it's a great spot for a peaceful walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is seldom used today.

The New Yorker

The reporter seldom used "I".

The New York Times - Books

And it has seldom used its veto.

The Economist

But that formal entrance is seldom used.

The New York Times

So why is it so seldom used?

Yale University

It is seldom used these days.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Now there are seldom-used vacation houses on all sides.

The New Yorker

His backup is Scott Clemmensen, another seldom-used goalie.

The New York Times - Sports

Impeachment, however, is a very cumbersome, slow, ill-defined, inflexible, ineffective, and seldom-used procedure.

Britannica

Umpires working Creighton's games have to dust off seldom-used rules regarding switch-pitchers.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, the seldom-used kempt is neutral, as if with hair hastily combed by the fingers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the declining relevance of a method or technology, use "seldom used" to emphasize its displacement by newer alternatives. For example, "Manual typewriters are seldom used in modern offices."

Common error

Avoid using "seldom used" when you actually mean "never used". "Seldom" implies occasional use, while "never" indicates complete absence of use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom used" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating its infrequent utilization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom used" effectively conveys that something is infrequent but not entirely absent. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide recognition. It functions as an adjectival modifier, commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While synonyms like "rarely employed" and "infrequently utilized" exist, it's important not to confuse "seldom used" with "never used", which indicates complete absence. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, highlighting its versatility and consistent application across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", implying a more formal or deliberate application.

infrequently utilized

Substitutes "seldom" with "infrequently" and "used" with "utilized", increasing the formality.

not often used

Uses a more common, less formal construction to convey the same meaning.

scarcely ever used

Adds emphasis with "scarcely ever", highlighting the rarity of use.

uncommonly applied

Replaces "used" with "applied", suggesting a specific context of application.

occasionally implemented

Suggests that usage happens only from time to time. Slightly modifies the focus to the implementation aspect.

not frequently used

Similar to "not often used" but slightly more formal with "frequently".

minimally used

Emphasizes the low amount or degree of usage.

hardly ever employed

Combines "hardly ever" for emphasis with the more formal "employed".

unusual to use

Shifts the focus to the act of using being uncommon, rather than the state of being used.

FAQs

What does "seldom used" mean?

The phrase "seldom used" means something is not used often or rarely used. It implies that while the thing is still available or possible to use, it is not a common occurrence.

How can I replace "seldom used" in a sentence?

You can replace "seldom used" with phrases like "rarely employed", "infrequently utilized", or "not often used", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is "seldom used" the same as "never used"?

No, "seldom used" and "never used" are not the same. "Seldom used" implies that something is used occasionally, though infrequently, while "never used" means it has not been used at all.

Which is more formal, "seldom used" or "rarely used"?

Both "seldom used" and "rarely used" are quite similar in formality. However, "seldom" might be perceived as slightly more formal or archaic than "rarely".