but hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but hardly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is true to a very small extent or not at all, often in contrast to a previous statement. Example: "The movie was entertaining, but hardly a masterpiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is disillusioning but hardly scandalous.

Forbes

"But hardly ever shootings".

The New York Times

Correct, but hardly fair.

The Economist

But hardly reassuring.

The Economist

But hardly a surprise.

Independent

But hardly impossible.

The New York Times

But hardly anyone bit.

The New York Times

That's reasonable, but hardly bulletproof.

The New York Times - Sports

Necessary, perhaps, but hardly sufficient.

The Economist

It's possible, but hardly likely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Impressive, yes, but hardly unique.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but hardly" to introduce a contrast or limitation, indicating that something is true to a very small extent or not at all, often in response to a previous statement or expectation. For example, "The task was challenging, but hardly impossible."

Common error

Avoid using "but hardly" when a stronger contrast is needed. If the difference is significant, consider using "but not at all" or "but definitely not" instead to convey a more substantial disagreement or negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but hardly" functions as a contrastive conjunction, softening a preceding statement. It introduces a qualification, suggesting that while something may be true to some extent, it's far from being fully or significantly so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but hardly" serves as a useful tool for introducing a contrast or limitation, indicating that something is true to a very small extent or not at all. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread usage, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, it's important to consider the strength of the contrast needed and choose alternatives like ""but barely"" or ""not really"" when appropriate. Using "but hardly" effectively can add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but barely

Indicates a minimal degree or amount, suggesting something is just enough or almost not.

but scarcely

Similar to 'but barely', emphasizing a small quantity or infrequent occurrence.

however, not really

Introduces a contrast, indicating that something is not as it seems or not to the extent implied.

though not quite

Suggests that something is close to being true but falls short in some way.

yet not entirely

Acknowledges a point but indicates that it is not fully or completely the case.

while not completely

Similar to 'yet not entirely', emphasizing a partial agreement or truth.

not exactly

Indicates that something is not precise or accurate in its description.

not quite

Similar to 'not exactly', implying a slight deviation from what is expected or stated.

not nearly

Indicates a significant difference or gap between what is and what is expected.

but by no means

Emphasizes that something is definitely not the case, often used for strong negation.

FAQs

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

Use "but hardly" to indicate a contrast where something is true to a very small extent or almost not at all. For example, "The movie was long, but hardly boring."

What phrases are similar to "but hardly"?

Alternatives include "but barely", "but scarcely", or "not really", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "but hardly ever"?

Yes, "but hardly ever" is correct. It means 'almost never' or 'very rarely'. For example, "He exercises, but hardly ever."

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

"But hardly" implies a weaker contrast than "but not". "But hardly" suggests something is only slightly true or almost not true, while "but not" indicates a direct negation. For instance, "He was tired, but hardly exhausted" vs. "He was tired, but not exhausted".