Cool MateNot usually vs Rarely vs Seldom
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not usually
Top 2,000 (common)
Rarely
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Seldom
Top 3,000 (common)C1adverb
| Not usually | Rarely | Seldom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈjuːʒuəli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈjuːʒuəli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈreəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrerli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈseldəm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈseldəm/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not common or not often. | not very often | not often |
| Example | I do not usually eat breakfast in the morning. | I rarely go to the movies anymore since I prefer watching at home. | She seldom goes to the gym because she prefers outdoor activities. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | not usually like, not usually seen, not usually done | rarely seen, rarely happens, rarely visit | seldom seen, seldom heard, seldom used, seldom acknowledged, seldom mentioned |
| Antonyms | - | frequently, often, regularly | often, frequently, regularly |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'never' which means something does not happen at all., Using 'not usually' when you mean 'always' or 'sometimes'., Incorrect word order, e.g., 'usually not' instead of 'not usually'. | Confused with 'rare' — 'rarely' describes frequency, while 'rare' describes how uncommon something is., Using 'rarely' in affirmative sentences instead of negative ones — remember it implies infrequency., Incorrectly placing 'rarely' at the end of a sentence where it should be before the main verb. | Confused with 'never' - 'seldom' means not often, not not at all., Using 'seldom' with positive verb constructions - it's usually used in negative or interrogative forms., Incorrectly placing 'seldom' at the end of a sentence; it should come before the main verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'not usually' to indicate something that rarely happens. It’s often used in conversation to express frequency. | Used in both spoken and written English. It’s appropriate for discussing habits or occurrences that happen infrequently. Avoid using in very formal contexts where a synonym like 'infrequently' might be more suitable. | Use 'seldom' in neutral contexts to indicate something happens infrequently. Avoid in very formal writing; 'rarely' may be preferred. Stay away from casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not usually vs Rarely vs Seldom
What's the difference between Not usually, Rarely, and Seldom?
Not usually: Not common or not often. Rarely: not very often Seldom: not often
Which is more advanced: Not usually, Rarely, and Seldom?
Seldom is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Not usually: I do not usually eat breakfast in the morning. Rarely: I rarely go to the movies anymore since I prefer watching at home. Seldom: She seldom goes to the gym because she prefers outdoor activities.
Can I use Not usually, Rarely, and Seldom interchangeably?
Not always. Not usually, Rarely, and Seldom are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.