I hardly feel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I hardly feel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a minimal or insignificant level of emotion or sensation. Example: "After the long meeting, I hardly feel any excitement about the project anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I hardly feel the needles.

The New York Times

I hardly feel that a crucial NATO ally will have any truck with that scenario.

The Guardian

I am now 34, though some days I hardly feel like a man.

The New York Times - Magazine

Something that shouldn't be happening has finally ceased happening, or soon will, but I hardly feel like celebrating.

Huffington Post

I am a finance concentrator at Wharton - Penn's business school and a well-known feeder to Wall Street - but I hardly feel that I was pushed or pressured into finance.

Huffington Post

When giving me injections, she asks me questions and as I attempt to answer her questions, my mind gets diverted from the pain of the injection, and I hardly feel the pain of injection being given'.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Sipping on a surprisingly crisp, dry white wine from nearby Kent, I hardly felt I was sacrificing my palate for the good of the planet.

The New York Times - Travel

It was great fun interviewing Rebecca Stead, this year's winner of the 2013 Guardian children's fiction prize and I hardly felt nervous at all.

The Guardian

I felt as if he'd joined a cult, albeit a reasonably benign one, though as someone who last played a computer game when Jet Set Willy was the height of technological wizardry, I hardly felt in a position to judge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For example, a man will describe the experience of going to the beach with a girlfriend to view a beautiful sunset and say, 'I hardly felt anything.' Or he will describe how he went to a concert where his buddies all feel exhilarated, but not him".

The New York Times - Health

Because their only complaint since arriving was that the children's dining room was so dimly lighted they found it hard to color within the lines of the books provided, I hardly felt worried leaving the three of them alone propped up under a giant Egyptian cotton duvet with cookies and the TV remote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "I hardly feel" to create a sense of detachment or emotional distance from a situation or event.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "I hardly feel" to describe emotions. Explore richer vocabulary to express subtle nuances of feelings. For example, instead of "I hardly feel sad", consider "I feel a muted sense of melancholy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I hardly feel" functions as a statement expressing a reduced or minimal sensation or emotional experience. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to communicate a sense of detachment or a lack of strong feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I hardly feel" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying minimal sensation or emotion. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and provides examples from reputable sources. While versatile, mindful word choice is crucial to avoid overuse and better articulate specific feelings. Consider using alternatives like "I scarcely feel" or "I barely feel" for similar effect. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I scarcely feel

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of the feeling.

I barely feel

Indicates a minimal level of sensation or emotion.

I can barely sense

Focuses on the limited ability to perceive something.

I faintly feel

Suggests a weak or indistinct sensation.

I minimally feel

Highlights the reduced amount of feeling.

I slightly feel

Indicates a minor degree of sensation.

I scarcely notice

Shifts the focus to a lack of awareness.

I barely notice

Similar to "scarcely notice", emphasizing minimal awareness.

I am almost numb

Expresses a state of near insensitivity.

I am nearly unaffected

Indicates a lack of impact or influence.

FAQs

What does "I hardly feel" mean?

The phrase "I hardly feel" expresses a minimal or insignificant level of emotion or sensation. It indicates that you perceive something with very little intensity.

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

You can use alternatives like "I scarcely feel", "I barely feel", or "I faintly feel" depending on the context.

How to use "I hardly feel" in a sentence?

Use "I hardly feel" when you want to convey that you have a weak or minimal sensation or emotion. For example, "After the long meeting, I hardly feel any excitement about the project anymore."

Is "I hardly feel anything" the same as "I feel nothing"?

No, "I hardly feel anything" implies a very slight sensation, whereas "I feel nothing" means there is a complete absence of sensation. The first suggests a minimal perception, while the second indicates complete numbness or lack of feeling.