can hardly move

USAGE SUMMARY

"can hardly move" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has difficulty moving due to injury, pain, paralysis, etc. Example: After her surgery, she was in so much pain that she could hardly move.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"You can hardly move around.

The New York Times

You can hardly move for them: Mimi.

The Guardian - Music

"You can hardly move on the sidewalks," he said.

The New York Times

Today one can hardly move for detectives intent on dinner.

The Guardian - Books

By the end of the opera, she can hardly move".

The Guardian - Music

He laughs and hammily wheezes: "'Oh, I can hardly move.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

You can pour water into the bucket, and the marbles will hardly move.

The New York Times

"I could hardly move.

The New York Times

Can't hardly move.

Huffington Post

He could hardly move.

Vice

Two people can sit together in a car, chat together at a dinner table, or recline together in bed and, speaking softly and hardly moving, can scar each other's souls for life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's physical condition, use "can hardly move" to convey a sense of significant impairment or weakness. For example: "After the accident, she could hardly move her legs."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the condition by using phrases like "completely unable to move" when "can hardly move" more accurately reflects a limited, rather than absolute, lack of mobility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can hardly move" functions as a descriptor of physical ability, indicating a significant limitation in movement. Ludwig showcases its use in describing physical states due to injury, fatigue, or other conditions that impede mobility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can hardly move" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant limitation in physical mobility. It is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase effectively conveys a state of reduced movement due to factors like injury, illness, or external constraints. When using this phrase, avoid overstating the inability to move and consider alternative expressions like "struggle to move" or "barely able to move" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely able to move

Emphasizes the minimal ability to move, suggesting a very limited range of motion.

struggle to move

Focuses on the effort required to move, highlighting the difficulty involved.

have difficulty moving

A more formal way of expressing the challenge of moving.

find it hard to move

Highlights the subjective experience of difficulty in moving.

is nearly immobile

Indicates a state close to being completely unable to move.

lacks mobility

Focuses on the absence of the ability to move freely.

is restricted in movement

Highlights the limitations placed on movement.

is largely sedentary

Indicates a lifestyle with minimal movement.

remains mostly still

Emphasizes the lack of motion and a preference for stillness.

is practically stationary

Suggests a state of being almost entirely unmoving.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "can hardly move"?

Saying someone "can hardly move" means they have significant difficulty moving, often due to pain, injury, or some other physical limitation. It implies a reduced range of motion or considerable effort required for movement.

What are some alternative ways to express that someone "can hardly move"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle to move", "barely able to move", or "have difficulty moving" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "can hardly move"?

Yes, "can hardly move" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

What is the difference between "can hardly move" and "can't move"?

"Can hardly move" implies a limited ability to move, while "can't move" suggests a complete inability to move. The former indicates difficulty, whereas the latter indicates impossibility.