had hardly given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had hardly given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was done to a very small extent or that there was little to no impact or contribution made. Example: "She had hardly given any thought to the consequences of her actions before making the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As for the five-set final two years ago, when Nadal topped Federer and asserted himself as the best player in the world (until his injuries), Nadal said he had hardly given that a second thought.

The New York Times - Sports

The president, however, insisted that Republican leaders had "hardly given a second thought" to a whole list of priorities, including saving Social Security, strengthening Medicare and "continuing to put the education of our children first".

The New York Times

Avoiding the wooden spoon was their priority, not denying England the title, and they had hardly given up at the end against Ireland with Stuart Hogg denied a try by Jamie Heaslip's pertinacity.

The Guardian - Sport

Until the late 70s he had hardly given an interview, and the huge impact of his banning combined with his comparatively small output meant that for many years he was a generally misunderstood figure in Ireland.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But international negotiators have hardly given up.

The New York Times

Deeply private, she has hardly given any interviews.

The Guardian - Books

Mexico are perfectly content with how this is playing out - they've hardly given Brazil a sniff, Neymar and Oscar unable to get into the game at all.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, Khan and Nehra's bowling has something to do with that: they've hardly given Smith or Amla anything - indeed, Smith poked and missed at one outside his off-sump in that over.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of these organisations complain that A4e has hardly given them any work to do at all; other voices claim that the company takes a big cut of their funds, and does precious little in return.

The Guardian

Mr. Mackintosh, though, has hardly given up and is handsomely represented in the West End this season by a revival of the 1960 musical "Oliver!," adapted from Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist".

The New York Times

But Mr. McCain, whose own organization in Ohio consists basically of a loose-knit band of volunteers, has hardly given up in a state that could be critical to his survival in his race for the presidency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had hardly given" to emphasize a lack of attention or consideration, creating a sense of disregard or oversight. For example, "The committee had hardly given the proposal a second glance before rejecting it."

Common error

Avoid using "had hardly given" when you actually mean "hadn't given". "Hardly" implies a very small amount or degree, not a complete absence. If you intend to convey a complete lack of attention, use "had not given" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had hardly given" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating that an action (or lack thereof) occurred before a specific point in the past. It suggests that minimal attention, consideration, or effort was directed towards something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Books

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had hardly given" is a past perfect construction used to emphasize a lack of attention or consideration towards something. As Ludwig indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for neutral contexts. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of disregard or oversight. Remember that "hardly" indicates a minimal amount, not a complete absence, and should not be confused with "hadn't given". Alternatives like "scarcely paid attention to" or "barely considered" can be used to express similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely paid attention to

Emphasizes a lack of attention, suggesting that something was almost completely ignored.

barely considered

Highlights the lack of consideration given to something, implying a superficial assessment.

almost disregarded

Focuses on the act of dismissing something as unimportant.

virtually ignored

Indicates that something was treated as if it did not exist or matter.

given scant regard to

Emphasizes the minimal level of respect or importance assigned to something.

paid little heed to

Highlights the lack of attention and importance given to something.

taken little notice of

Indicates a failure to observe or acknowledge something.

given minimal thought to

Stresses the insufficient mental consideration devoted to something.

shown little interest in

Focuses on the lack of curiosity or concern displayed towards something.

hardly noticed

Simple expression to state that something was nearly invisible or insignificant.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had hardly given" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "given scant regard to" or "paid little heed to". These options suggest a deliberate, though minimal, level of attention.

What's the difference between "had hardly given" and "hadn't given"?

"Had hardly given" implies a small amount of attention was paid, whereas "hadn't given" suggests no attention was paid at all. The subtle difference can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence.

Is it correct to use "had hardly given" in academic writing?

Yes, "had hardly given" is acceptable in academic writing, especially when you want to convey that something received minimal attention or consideration. However, ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality and precision in your writing.

What are some common synonyms for "had hardly given"?

Some common synonyms include "barely considered", "scarcely paid attention to", and "almost disregarded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.