can hardly bear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can hardly bear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of discomfort or distress regarding a situation or thought. Example: "I can hardly bear the thought of losing my best friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can hardly bear it.

The New Yorker

I can hardly bear to imagine.

Independent

I can hardly bear it".

The New Yorker

Personally, I can hardly bear to look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can hardly bear to watch.

The Guardian - Books

I can hardly bear to leave any animal out".

The New Yorker

He can hardly bear the idea of it.

The Guardian - Books

I can hardly bear to look at him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a tale I can hardly bear to this day.

The New York Times

We can hardly bear to look ourselves in the face".

The Guardian - Books

Walter can hardly bear looking at it, but this is not because it is ugly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can hardly bear" to express a strong emotional reaction, such as extreme dislike, distress, or discomfort. For example, "I can hardly bear to watch those old movies."

Common error

While "can hardly bear" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "cannot easily tolerate" or "finds it exceedingly difficult" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can hardly bear" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong feeling of discomfort or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently used. It indicates difficulty in tolerating or enduring something, both physically or emotionally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can hardly bear" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a strong feeling of discomfort or intolerance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Books, and Lifestyle content, it effectively conveys a speaker's aversion or distress towards a particular situation or thought. While grammatically sound, writers should consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can barely tolerate

Indicates a slightly lower threshold of intolerance compared to "can hardly bear".

can scarcely endure

Emphasizes the difficulty in enduring something, suggesting a limit to one's patience or resilience.

can't stand

A more informal way of expressing strong dislike or aversion.

cannot tolerate

A more formal and direct way of stating an inability to tolerate something.

find it unbearable

Focuses on the subjective experience of something being too difficult or painful to endure.

cannot stomach

Implies a strong feeling of disgust or revulsion towards something.

cannot face

Highlights the difficulty or unwillingness to confront a particular situation or thought.

abhor

Expresses a feeling of strong hatred or loathing.

detest

A strong expression of dislike or aversion.

loathe

Suggests intense dislike and aversion.

FAQs

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

You can use "can hardly bear" to express that something is very difficult to tolerate or endure. For example, "She "can hardly bear" the thought of leaving her family".

What can I say instead of "can hardly bear"?

You can use alternatives like "can barely tolerate", "cannot stand", or "find it unbearable" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "can hardly bear" and "can barely tolerate"?

"Can hardly bear" and "can barely tolerate" are similar, but "can hardly bear" suggests a stronger emotional reaction, while "can barely tolerate" implies a lower threshold of endurance.

Is it correct to use "can hardly bear to" followed by a verb?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "can hardly bear" is typically followed by "to" + a verb in its infinitive form. For example, "I "can hardly bear" to watch".