seldom
表示很少发生，几乎没有。
Use 'seldom' to indicate that something happens infrequently or is rare.
30秒词汇
- Means 'not often' or 'rarely'.
- Used to describe infrequent events or actions.
- Common in writing and slightly formal speech.
Summary
Use 'seldom' to indicate that something happens infrequently or is rare.
- Means 'not often' or 'rarely'.
- Used to describe infrequent events or actions.
- Common in writing and slightly formal speech.
Think 'Rarely' for Seldom
When you see or want to use 'seldom,' think of the word 'rarely.' They mean almost the same thing: not happening often.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Talk
While 'seldom' is a good word, using it too much in very casual conversation might sound a bit too formal or old-fashioned to some speakers.
Expressing Infrequency
Using words like 'seldom' helps you express nuances about how often things happen, making your language richer and more precise, especially in writing.
例句
4 / 4He seldom eats fast food.
Such beautiful sunsets are seldom seen.
I seldom go to the cinema these days.
The research indicates that these phenomena seldom occur under normal laboratory conditions.
词族
记忆技巧
Think of 'seldom' as sounding a bit like 'slow down.' When something happens seldom, it's like the frequency has slowed down considerably.
Overview
Seldom is an adverb that indicates infrequency. When you use 'seldom,' you are emphasizing that an action or event does not happen often. It's a common word in English, especially in slightly more formal writing or speech, although it's understood by learners at the A2 level. It's a way to express rarity without necessarily using phrases like 'not very often' or 'hardly ever.'
Seldom typically appears in the middle of a sentence, usually after the main verb if it's a simple verb (e.g., 'He seldom smiles'), or after the auxiliary verb if there is one (e.g., 'She has seldom traveled abroad'). It can also appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, often followed by inversion (e.g., 'Seldom do we see such talent'). However, this inverted structure is more advanced and less common in everyday A2-level communication.
You'll encounter 'seldom' in various contexts. In personal descriptions, it might describe habits: 'He seldom eats breakfast.' In describing events, it might refer to how often something occurs: 'Such opportunities seldom arise.' It can also be used to describe states or feelings: 'I seldom feel tired after a good night's sleep.' It's often found in written materials like stories, news articles, or formal announcements.
The most common synonym for 'seldom' is 'rarely.' Both words mean 'not often.' 'Hardly ever' is another similar phrase, often implying even greater infrequency. 'Occasionally' is an antonym, meaning 'sometimes' or 'now and then.' While 'seldom' and 'rarely' are very close in meaning, 'seldom' can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or literary tone than 'rarely,' though in everyday A2 usage, they are largely interchangeable.
使用说明
Seldom is an adverb used to express that something happens infrequently. It is generally placed after the verb 'to be' or auxiliary verbs, but before main verbs. While understood at A2, its usage leans towards slightly more formal or written English.
常见错误
Learners might incorrectly place 'seldom' at the end of a sentence or confuse its placement with main verbs. For example, saying 'I go seldom' is incorrect; it should be 'I seldom go.' Also, confusing it with antonyms like 'often' can change the meaning entirely.
记忆技巧
Think of 'seldom' as sounding a bit like 'slow down.' When something happens seldom, it's like the frequency has slowed down considerably.
词源
The word 'seldom' comes from Old English 'seldan,' which itself is derived from Proto-Germanic roots related to 'sel-' meaning 'rare' or 'few.' It has been used in English for over a thousand years.
文化背景
Expressing infrequency with words like 'seldom' is common across many cultures. It allows speakers to politely convey that something is not a regular occurrence without being overly negative or direct.
例句
He seldom eats fast food.
everydaySuch beautiful sunsets are seldom seen.
formalI seldom go to the cinema these days.
informalThe research indicates that these phenomena seldom occur under normal laboratory conditions.
academic词族
常见搭配
常用短语
seldom go
seldom see
seldom hear
容易混淆的词
'Rarely' and 'seldom' are very close synonyms and often interchangeable. 'Seldom' can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary, but in most everyday contexts, they mean the same thing: not often.
'Hardly ever' is a phrasal adverb that also means 'not often.' It often implies a slightly greater degree of infrequency than 'seldom' or 'rarely,' suggesting something that almost never happens.
语法模式
Think 'Rarely' for Seldom
When you see or want to use 'seldom,' think of the word 'rarely.' They mean almost the same thing: not happening often.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Talk
While 'seldom' is a good word, using it too much in very casual conversation might sound a bit too formal or old-fashioned to some speakers.
Expressing Infrequency
Using words like 'seldom' helps you express nuances about how often things happen, making your language richer and more precise, especially in writing.
自我测试
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
She is very healthy; she ___ gets sick.
The sentence implies she doesn't get sick often, making 'seldom' the correct choice.
Which word means the same as 'seldom'?
What is a synonym for 'seldom'?
'Rarely' means not often, just like 'seldom'.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
Arrange: is / it / we / hot / seldom / here / hot / is / it / here
This is the standard word order for an adverb like 'seldom' in a simple sentence.
得分： /3
常见问题
4 个问题The opposite of seldom is 'often' or 'frequently.' These words indicate that something happens regularly or many times.
Yes, seldom can be used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. However, this often requires inverting the subject and auxiliary verb (e.g., 'Seldom do I go out'). This structure is more advanced than typical A2 usage.
Seldom is generally considered slightly more formal than 'rarely' or 'hardly ever.' While understood at the A2 level, it's more commonly found in written English or more formal spoken contexts.
Both 'seldom' and 'hardly ever' mean not often. 'Hardly ever' often implies an even greater degree of infrequency than 'seldom,' suggesting something that almost never happens.
相关语法
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about
A1‘about’可以表示‘关于’某个话题，也可以表示‘大约’或‘左右’。
above
A2表示比其他事物更高的位置，就在上面。
accident
A2发生的不幸事件，可能造成损害或伤害。
action
A2为了达到目的而采取的行动过程。
after
A2‘after’的意思是‘在……之后’，表示在时间上或空间上晚于某事。
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2‘again’的意思是‘再一次’，表示某事再次发生或被重复。
aged
B1用来描述人或事物处于特定的年龄。
alive
A2指有生命的状态，不是死亡的。
all
A2‘all’指的是某事物的全部，或者每一个。
