are hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

"are hardly" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is unlikely or barely happening. Example: "The students are hardly paying attention in class today." This sentence means that the students are barely paying attention, or that it is unlikely that they are paying attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Relapses are hardly unknown.

The New York Times

They are hardly alone.

The New York Times - Sports

They are hardly "events".

Independent

Pedometers are hardly new.

The New York Times - Tech

They are hardly Havels.

The Guardian

Uniforms are hardly standard.

The New York Times

They are hardly new.

The Guardian

Investors are hardly convinced.

The New York Times

Republicans are hardly surrendering.

The New York Times

They are hardly pioneers.

The New York Times

Such tales are hardly shockers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are hardly" to express a situation where something is only marginally true or barely exists. This conveys a sense of improbability or scarcity, such as "The results are hardly conclusive."

Common error

Avoid using "are hardly" when you want to express a strong negation. It indicates a slight or marginal absence, not a complete one. For instance, instead of saying "They are hardly qualified" when they have no qualifications at all, use "They are not qualified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are hardly" typically functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it indicates a minimal degree or frequency. It suggests that something is only marginally true or barely exists, modifying the verb and adding a sense of improbability or scarcity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are hardly" is a valuable tool for expressing a sense of minimal existence or marginal truth. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and suggests that it's commonly used to soften claims or to indicate that something is less significant than it seems. As highlighted by the analysis, the phrase is frequently used in News & Media. When using "are hardly", be mindful of its subtle meaning and avoid using it when a stronger negation is required. Also, remember that alternatives like "are barely" or "are scarcely" can offer similar nuances in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are barely

This alternative suggests a minimal existence or occurrence, similar to "are hardly" but with a stronger sense of scarcity.

are scarcely

This phrase is nearly interchangeable with "are hardly", both indicating something that is rare or infrequent.

are just barely

This option intensifies the sense of something being only marginally true or present, adding emphasis.

are infrequently

This alternative focuses on the lack of frequency, highlighting how rarely something happens.

are seldom

Similar to "are rarely", this emphasizes the infrequency of an event or condition.

are rarely

This phrase indicates that something does not happen often, maintaining a similar meaning to "are hardly".

are almost never

This alternative emphasizes the near absence of something, making it stronger than "are hardly".

are unlikely to be

This phrase shifts the focus to the probability of something occurring, suggesting a low chance of it happening.

do not often

This alternative uses a more direct construction to convey infrequency, differing slightly in tone from "are hardly".

are not typically

This option emphasizes the atypical nature of something, suggesting it deviates from the norm.

FAQs

How to use "are hardly" in a sentence?

You can use "are hardly" to indicate that something is only marginally true or barely the case. For example, "The new measures "are hardly sufficient" to address the problem."

What can I say instead of "are hardly"?

You can use alternatives like "are barely", "are scarcely", or "are rarely" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are hardly" or "are not hardly"?

"Are hardly" is the correct and more common form. "Are not hardly" is redundant because "hardly" already carries a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "are hardly" and "are not"?

"Are hardly" suggests a small degree or probability, while "are not" is a direct negation. For example, "They are hardly interested" implies minimal interest, whereas "They are not interested" indicates a complete lack of interest.