hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is only just the case or not very much at all. Example: "She hardly knew anyone at the party, which made her feel a bit out of place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is hardly surprising.

The New York Times - Sports

This was hardly surprising.

The Guardian - Film

It hardly matters.

The New York Times - Books

Likewise, our old playroom – the kids are grown up now and hardly anyone goes in there.

The Guardian

Well, hardly.

The Economist

The two men could hardly be more different.

The Economist

With a few exceptions, it was hardly possible to imagine Embassy officials or troops in Baghdad taking great risks to get their Iraqi contacts out before we left.

The Economist

That is hardly surprising.

The Economist

BG Both clubs have such long casualty lists that they are hardly able to rest all their players even if they wanted to, so both should field strong sides.

The Guardian - Sport

McLeish, with little money to waste, landed Kris Boyd: to the purist, hardly even a footballer; to the statistician, an outrageously prolific goalscorer.

The Guardian - Sport

The main opposition party could hardly refuse to support it, or it would be displaying lack of confidence in its ability to win the ensuing general election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly", ensure the context clearly indicates the minimal degree or near absence you intend to convey. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "hardly", "barely", and "scarcely" to choose the most appropriate word for your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly" in affirmative sentences where you intend to express a positive or substantial degree. "Hardly" implies a negative or near-zero quantity, so using it incorrectly can confuse your intended meaning.

How to use

Learn how to use "hardly" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "hardly" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating a minimal degree or quantity. It is used to express that something is only just the case or almost not at all, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "hardly" is a versatile term that is commonly used across different writing styles. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and functions primarily to downplay the extent of something. "Hardly" appears most frequently in news and media sources, marking its relevance in conveying subtle degrees of existence or occurrence. The provided examples show how "hardly" can effectively modify verbs and adjectives, offering nuanced expressions in both formal and informal communication. Remembering its implications and correct usage will help maintain the precision in your writing, which, after all, is "hardly unimportant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely

Indicates a minimal amount or degree, similar to "hardly" but can sometimes imply a struggle or difficulty.

scarcely

Similar to "hardly" and "barely", emphasizing a small quantity or degree, and can sometimes highlight a lack or deficiency.

only just

Indicates that something is true or achieved to a minimal extent.

just barely

Adds emphasis to the minimal nature of something, indicating it is achieved or present by the narrowest margin.

almost not

Directly conveys the idea that something is close to not happening or existing, mirroring the effect of "hardly".

rarely

Describes something that does not occur often, which can be similar to "hardly ever" in certain contexts.

infrequently

Similar to "rarely", it emphasizes the low frequency of an event or action.

seldom

A more formal synonym for "rarely", indicating something that happens infrequently.

not often

A straightforward way to express that something does not happen frequently, conveying a similar meaning to "hardly".

by a whisker

Suggests success or avoidance by a very narrow margin, akin to "hardly" in situations where something was almost not achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly" in a sentence?

"Hardly" is used to indicate that something is only just the case or almost not at all. For example: "They "hardly ever" watch television."

What are some alternatives to the word "hardly"?

Alternatives to "hardly" include "barely", "scarcely", or "just barely", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "hardly" and "scarcely"?

While "hardly" and "scarcely" are often interchangeable, "scarcely" can sometimes emphasize a sense of lack or deficiency more strongly than "hardly". Consider context; for example, "I could "scarcely believe" it" emphasizes disbelief.

Is it correct to say "I can hardly wait"?

Yes, "I can "hardly wait"" is a common idiom that expresses excitement and anticipation, meaning you can't wait any longer. It's an idiomatic exception where "hardly" doesn't negate entirely.