can hardly be called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can hardly be called" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not exactly what it is being labeled as. For example, "The food served at the restaurant can hardly be called a gourmet experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Under its new strongman Iraq can hardly be called stable.

The Economist

Yet, pedigree aside, the drink can hardly be called austere.

The New York Times

In this, as in other ways, it can hardly be called an election at all.

The Economist

The rest of the show can hardly be called a rant.

The New Yorker

The recent deal between Mr. Obama and the hospital industry can hardly be called "health reform".

The New York Times

He can hardly be called an outsider in the world's most exclusive club.

The Guardian - Opinion

That kind of budget pain, they say, can hardly be called crying wolf.

The New York Times

Still, the disc can hardly be called reliable as a pianist's guide to Ives interpretation.

The New York Times - Arts

And my laugh can hardly be called a "laugh" in any true sense.

The Guardian

But Russia's strategy for consolidating support in neighboring capitals can hardly be called a strategy.

The New York Times

When a government murders its own citizens and they resist, this can hardly be called a civil war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can hardly be called" to express a subjective opinion about something that technically fits a definition but doesn't fully embody it. For example, use it when describing something that meets the minimum requirements but lacks essential qualities.

Common error

While "can hardly be called" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey subtle degrees of inadequacy or inappropriateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can hardly be called" functions as a qualifier or hedge, expressing a subjective assessment that something does not fully meet the criteria to be accurately described by a particular term. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and provides real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can hardly be called" is a common and correct way to express that something doesn't quite deserve a particular label or description. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in scientific and encyclopedic writing. While grammatically sound, it is best to consider the formality of the context and opt for more precise language in formal writing. Remember to use it to express subjective opinions and consider alternatives like "barely qualifies as" or "scarcely deserves the name of" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not accurately described as

Directly states that the descriptor is inappropriate.

barely qualifies as

Emphasizes the marginal nature of something meeting a certain criterion.

scarcely deserves the name of

Highlights the inadequacy of something to be considered by a certain name.

is questionably referred to as

Casts doubt on the appropriateness of the descriptor.

doesn't really warrant being termed

Focuses on the lack of justification for applying a specific term.

is stretching the definition of

Implies that the term is being applied loosely or inaccurately.

is a far cry from

Indicates a significant difference between something and a certain standard.

is a loose interpretation of

Suggests the application of a term with considerable flexibility.

borders on misnomer

Indicates that the term is almost incorrect or misleading.

approaches being a misnomer

Indicates that the term used is not suitable and almost a misnomer.

FAQs

How to use "can hardly be called" in a sentence?

Use "can hardly be called" to express that something doesn't fully deserve a particular label. For example, "The budget cuts "can hardly be called" a solution to the financial crisis" implies they are inadequate.

What can I say instead of "can hardly be called"?

Alternatives include "barely qualifies as", "scarcely deserves the name of", or "is not accurately described as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "can hardly be called" formal or informal?

"Can hardly be called" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider more precise or nuanced alternatives.

What's the difference between "can hardly be called" and "cannot be called"?

"Can hardly be called" suggests a subjective assessment that something barely meets a certain standard, while "cannot be called" implies a more definitive and objective denial of that label. The former leaves more room for interpretation.