very seldom

USAGE SUMMARY

'very seldom' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb which means not often or rarely. For example, "I very seldom go to restaurants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But very seldom.

The New Yorker

You very seldom win.

The New York Times - Sports

Competition is very seldom a bad thing".

Independent

But very seldom anybody went to jail".

The New Yorker

Van Gogh very seldom did this.

The Guardian - Arts

"They very seldom spoke," he said.

The New York Times

Very seldom does practicality trump parochialism.

The New York Times

"I very seldom feel cold," he said.

The New York Times

Incumbents very seldom invent the future".

The New York Times

Petitions for rehearing are very seldom granted.

The New York Times

"But your mathematical long shots very seldom come to being".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very seldom" to add a touch of formality to your writing while conveying infrequency. It's slightly more emphatic than simply saying "seldom".

Common error

Avoid using "very seldom" in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "hardly ever" or "almost never" to maintain a natural, informal tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "very seldom" modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the infrequency of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcasing numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very seldom" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that something occurs rarely. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly formal settings. Remember to use alternatives like "hardly ever" or "almost never" in more casual conversations. "Very seldom" adds a touch of emphasis to the infrequency, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly ever

Uses different words to express the same low frequency.

almost never

Replaces "seldom" with "never" and modifies it with "almost" to indicate a near absence.

rarely

A single-word synonym that expresses infrequency.

infrequently

A more formal synonym for "rarely".

not often

A straightforward way of stating that something does not happen frequently.

scarcely ever

Similar to "hardly ever", emphasizing the rarity of an event.

on rare occasions

Shifts the focus to the few times something does happen.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme infrequency.

seldom if ever

Emphasizes that something almost never happens, perhaps never at all.

few and far between

Describes occurrences as both infrequent and widely spaced out.

FAQs

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

"Very seldom" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happens rarely. For example, "I "very seldom" eat fast food", or "They "very seldom" visit us anymore".

What can I say instead of "very seldom"?

You can use alternatives such as "hardly ever", "almost never", or "rarely" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more correct to say "very seldom" or "seldom"?

Both ""very seldom"" and "seldom" are grammatically correct. "Very seldom" simply emphasizes the rarity more strongly than "seldom" alone.

What is the difference between "very seldom" and "occasionally"?

"Very seldom" means something happens rarely, whereas "occasionally" implies it happens from time to time, but not frequently. "Occasionally" suggests a slightly higher frequency than ""very seldom"".