I hardly think

USAGE SUMMARY

"I hardly think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief or disagreement with a thought or suggestion. For example: "I had heard there was going to be a big party, but I hardly think that's true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I hardly think so.

The New York Times

I hardly think about it that much," he said.

The New York Times

There I hardly think Romney was scraping bottom.

The New York Times

I opted for the can over the tube, though I hardly think it made a difference.

The New Yorker

"I hardly think that you've seen any excessive celebration taking place here," Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

It was not my mother's handwriting, and I hardly think it would be my father's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I hardly thought so".

The New Yorker

But I hardly thought of her.

The New Yorker

Most of the time, naturally, when Auntie Andy wasn't around, I hardly thought about Charlie.

The New Yorker

I hardly thought so; I was inclined to give as little credit as I reasonably could to Herr von Junzt's account.

The New Yorker

It must have taken about 20 minutes – I hardly thought about it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I hardly think" to politely express disagreement or doubt without being confrontational. It's particularly useful in formal or professional settings where tact is important.

Common error

Avoid using "I hardly think" when a stronger expression of disagreement is needed. In situations requiring directness, consider using phrases like "I strongly disagree" or "I'm convinced that's wrong" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I hardly think" functions as a modal expression, conveying a nuanced form of disagreement or doubt. Ludwig examples show it used to soften disagreement or express a tentative opinion, indicating a polite but firm reservation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I hardly think" is a versatile phrase used to express disagreement or doubt in a polite and mitigated manner. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, often appearing in news and media sources, making it suitable for a range of professional and neutral communications. When you want to disagree without being confrontational, or when you're expressing skepticism, this is the way to go. Remember that while it expresses some reservations, it might not be strong enough for situations that require a more direct expression of disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I doubt that

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief, but with a stronger sense of skepticism.

I don't believe that

Indicates a lack of conviction or agreement with a statement.

I'm not convinced that

Highlights a state of doubt or lack of persuasion regarding a particular idea.

I'm skeptical about that

Expresses a cautious or questioning attitude toward a claim or proposition.

I'm inclined to doubt that

Suggests a leaning toward disbelief, but with a degree of tentativeness.

I'm not so sure about that

Indicates uncertainty or hesitation about a statement's validity.

I have my doubts about that

Implies a personal reservation or skepticism regarding a specific matter.

I'm hesitant to agree

Shows reluctance to concur or endorse a particular point of view.

I'm wary of that

Conveys a sense of caution or suspicion about a particular issue.

It's unlikely in my view

States that something is improbable, from a personal perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "I hardly think" in a sentence?

You can use "I hardly think" to express a polite disagreement or doubt. For example, "I had heard there was going to be a big party, but "I hardly think" that's true."

What are some alternatives to "I hardly think"?

Alternatives include "I doubt that", "I don't believe that", or "I'm not convinced that", depending on the context and the strength of your disagreement.

Is "I hardly think" formal or informal?

"I hardly think" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for both professional and casual conversation where politeness is valued. More direct alternatives may be preferable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "I hardly think" and "I don't think"?

"I hardly think" conveys a stronger sense of doubt or disagreement than "I don't think". The former implies a greater degree of disbelief or skepticism, while the latter is a more neutral expression of opinion.