I hardly expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I hardly expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a low level of expectation regarding a particular outcome or event. Example: "Given the circumstances, I hardly expect to receive a response before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The truth is we have probably saved the Broadwater investors a ton of money, although I hardly expect them to thank us," he said.

The New York Times

I hardly expect to have convinced any of those reading who are of the persuasion that the fossil record does not cover such transitions.

The Guardian

As a result, I hardly expect such visuals to shift many views, particularly given that responses to the science pointing to substantial, enduring greenhouse warming are shaped far more by divergent values, and feelings of risk, than the data.

The New York Times

Their Life Orientation Test, or LOT, measures how a person responds to a set of statements that range from "I hardly expect things to go my way" to "In uncertain times, I usually expect the best".

The New Yorker

The loss of Brian Cushing for the season deprives this team of a defensive leader, and though I hardly expect that to derail them altogether, something tells me they may be in for a wobble.

The Guardian - Sport

I hardly expect to be dry again until the storm is over".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I hardly expected the book itself to be successful".

The New York Times

I'd seen him about the town, once when he was exotically got up in tartan trews and a tam o'shanter as the chief of the highland games, but I hardly expected him to remember our single brief encounter 30 years earlier.

The Guardian - Opinion

"On a particularly hot Saturday matinee," wrote Rattigan, "and sitting alone, having left the Test match at a particularly exciting moment, I hardly expected to find myself, at both intervals of your play, with tears staining my raddled and reactionary old cheeks".

The Guardian

By the time I arrived in Iraq in 2009, I hardly expected to be welcomed as a liberator or greeted -- as the officials who launched the invasion of that country expected back in 2003 -- with a parade and flowers.

Huffington Post

Which brings me to the fact that I hardly expected to be sitting in a giant theater in the Middle East watching a film about Aboriginal heroines in war-time Vietnam and yet The Sapphires, at the Dubai International Film Festival, worked in that environment so well, and in every way.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I hardly expect" to politely express low expectations, especially when managing expectations with others. For instance, "Given the short notice, I hardly expect a perfect result."

Common error

Avoid using "I hardly expect" when you mean to convey complete certainty that something will not happen. "I hardly expect" suggests a low probability, not impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I hardly expect" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a speaker's low degree of anticipation or expectation. It subtly communicates a lack of confidence in a particular outcome, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I hardly expect" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating a low degree of anticipation. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to manage expectations or convey mild skepticism across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not as common as more direct expressions, it offers a nuanced way to soften potentially negative statements. It's important to avoid confusing this phrase with stronger negations, as it implies low probability rather than certainty. Remember to be clear about your intent and adapt your language appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I don't really expect

Changes the emphasis to a more direct statement of low expectation.

I don't anticipate

A more direct and slightly formal way to express a lack of expectation.

I have little expectation

Replaces "hardly expect" with a more formal expression of limited anticipation.

I'm not anticipating

Similar to "I don't anticipate", but with a slightly more active or engaged tone.

I scarcely anticipate

Substitutes "expect" with the more formal "anticipate", implying a slightly more considered viewpoint.

I somewhat doubt

Shifts from expectation to an expression of doubt.

I don't foresee

Indicates a lack of expectation based on a perceived inability to predict a certain outcome.

I wouldn't bet on it

Introduces an informal, idiomatic expression indicating low probability.

It's unlikely that I'll see

Emphasizes the low probability of witnessing a specific event or outcome.

I'm not holding my breath

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey skepticism about something happening.

FAQs

What does "I hardly expect" mean?

The phrase "I hardly expect" is a polite way of saying you don't really think something is going to happen, or that the chances of it happening are very slim. It's more subtle than saying "I don't expect".

What can I say instead of "I hardly expect"?

You can use alternatives like "I don't really expect", "I have little expectation", or "I scarcely anticipate" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I hardly expect"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The word "hardly" functions as an adverb modifying "expect", indicating a minimal degree of expectation.

How formal is the phrase "I hardly expect"?

The phrase is relatively neutral in formality, suitable for both professional and casual contexts where a polite understatement is appropriate. More formal alternatives might include "I scarcely anticipate".