Cool MateNot usually vs Seldom
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not usually
Top 2,000 (common)
Seldom
Top 3,000 (common)C1adverb
Most common: Not usually
| Not usually | Seldom | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈjuːʒuəli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈjuːʒuəli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈseldəm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈseldəm/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not common or not often. | not often |
| Example | I do not usually eat breakfast in the morning. | She seldom goes to the gym because she prefers outdoor activities. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | not usually like, not usually seen, not usually done | seldom seen, seldom heard, seldom used, seldom acknowledged, seldom mentioned |
| Antonyms | - | 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 '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. | 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 Seldom
What's the difference between Not usually and Seldom?
Not usually: Not common or not often. Seldom: not often
Which is more common: Not usually and Seldom?
Not usually is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not usually: I do not usually eat breakfast in the morning. Seldom: She seldom goes to the gym because she prefers outdoor activities.
Can I use Not usually and Seldom interchangeably?
Not always. Not usually 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.