seldom works

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom works" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something happens rarely or almost never. For example: "I've tried that solution many times, but it seldom works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It seldom works.

The New York Times

Alas, Europe seldom works like this.

The Economist

Technology, after all, seldom works flawlessly.

The Economist

It seldom works smoothly or speedily.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, it seldom works like that.

The Guardian - Money

She used an insanity defense, which very seldom works.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But quick fixes seldom work.

The Economist

This has seldom worked out well for the Korean people.

The Economist

They should realise that gimmicks seldom work in England.

The Guardian - Sport

But so far, it has seldom worked out that way.

The New York Times

The schemes applied on the pitch seldom worked so well.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "rarely succeeds" or "unlikely to work" if you want to emphasize the low probability of success rather than just the infrequency of the action.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "seldom works" can sound overly formal or archaic in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "rarely works" or "doesn't usually work" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom works" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action or state of a subject. It indicates that the action performed by the subject does not frequently achieve the intended result. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seldom works" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something rarely achieves its intended outcome. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, remember that "seldom" leans towards a slightly more formal tone. It's prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but can also appear in scientific and business writing. For informal settings, alternatives such as "rarely works" or "doesn't usually work" might be more appropriate. Be aware of the context and desired tone when using this phrase to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely succeeds

Emphasizes the infrequency of success, focusing on the outcome rather than the process.

rarely effective

Similar to "seldom works" but places more emphasis on the effect rather than frequency.

infrequently functions

Highlights the irregular or sparse operation of something.

hardly ever effective

Emphasizes how it is hard for something to be effective.

infrequently effective

Emphasizes that it is not frequent to be effective.

scarcely operates

Stresses the limited and almost non-existent functionality.

hardly ever functions

Emphasizes the minimal frequency of functioning.

barely effective

Focuses on the marginal effectiveness rather than the frequency of operation.

uncommonly effective

Highlights how it is not common for something to be effective.

unlikely to work

Shifts the focus to the probability of success, portraying a pessimistic outlook.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom works" to describe something that does not usually produce the desired outcome. For example, "That approach to problem-solving "seldom works" in complex situations".

What are some alternatives to "seldom works"?

Alternatives include "rarely succeeds", "infrequently functions", or "unlikely to work". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "seldom works" formal or informal?

"Seldom works" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "doesn't usually work" or "rarely works" might be more appropriate.

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

While similar, "seldom" implies something happens infrequently, whereas "rarely" emphasizes the unusualness of the occurrence. They are largely interchangeable, but "rarely" might be perceived as slightly less formal than "seldom".