can hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

"can hardly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
In general, it is used to describe something that is very difficult or almost impossible to do. For example, "I can hardly believe that he's gotten so tall in just a few months!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can hardly see.

The New Yorker

I can hardly wait.

The New York Times

He can hardly see.

The New York Times - Magazine

It can hardly complain.

The Economist

He can hardly sleep.

The Washington Post

I can hardly walk".

The New York Times - Magazine

Many can hardly read.

The Guardian

You can hardly feel it".

The New York Times

They can hardly be beaten.

The New York Times - Sports

I can hardly blame them".

The New York Times

He can hardly speak.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can hardly", ensure the context makes it clear what is difficult or near impossible. For instance, "He can hardly walk" explains a physical limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "can hardly" when you mean something is merely inconvenient. The phrase implies a significant limitation, not just a minor annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can hardly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or state is possible or likely. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests a significant limitation or near impossibility. For instance, "I can hardly believe it" emphasizes disbelief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can hardly" is a common and grammatically correct way to express near impossibility or significant difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to express disbelief, limitation or trouble in accomplishing something. It appears most often in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media sources. While alternatives like "barely can" and "scarcely can" exist, "can hardly" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. It's important to remember that using "can hardly" is inappropriate when something is only a minor inconvenience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely can

Reverses the order and uses 'barely' instead of 'hardly' to emphasize the minimal capability.

scarcely can

Replaces 'hardly' with 'scarcely', indicating a very small amount or degree.

almost cannot

Uses 'almost cannot' to convey near impossibility.

virtually cannot

Uses 'virtually cannot' to suggest something is practically impossible.

is unlikely to

Shifts the expression to focus on the low probability of something happening.

find it difficult to

Emphasizes the difficulty experienced in performing an action.

struggle to

Highlights the effort and challenge involved in doing something.

have trouble

Indicates problems or difficulties encountered.

can't easily

Contrasts with 'can easily', implying difficulty or challenge.

it's a challenge to

Expresses that something presents a significant difficulty.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can hardly" expresses that something is very difficult or almost impossible. For example, "I "can hardly wait" for the vacation to start" means you are very excited and eagerly anticipating it.

What can I say instead of "can hardly"?

Alternatives include "barely can", "scarcely can", or "almost cannot", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can't hardly"?

No, "can't hardly" is generally considered incorrect because it creates a double negative. "Hardly" already implies a negative, so using "can't" is redundant. Use "can hardly" instead.

What's the difference between "can hardly" and "can easily"?

"Can hardly" indicates that something is difficult or almost impossible, while "can easily" implies that something is simple and straightforward. They are antonyms and express opposite levels of difficulty.