hardly a decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly a decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a period of time is less than a full decade, often emphasizing the brevity of that time span. Example: "The technology has evolved significantly in hardly a decade, transforming the way we communicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Metabolic engineering is hardly a decade old but its significance is already generally recognized.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The actions of a handful of shady scientists hardly discredit a decade's worth of scientific research.

Huffington Post

Though it's hardly half a decade old, the organization has already racked up some impressive accomplishments.

HuffPost

Hardly a lost decade at all.

The New York Times

The 80s were hardly a good decade for model train makers anywhere in the world, trains having been replaced in the idolatry of boyhood by planes and cars, but Hornby's management acted imaginatively.

The Guardian - Opinion

That has hardly changed in a decade and is far leaner than the average (149 state workers per 10,000 residents) of America's other states.

The Economist

Dani Rodrik of Princeton University, for example, reckons that manufacturing and private investment have hardly budged despite a decade of rising incomes.

The Economist

Rowland, though inevitably a father figure, is hardly more than a decade older than Chris and has tasted early literary success in his own right.

The Guardian - Books

The procedure of liver-lobe transplantation, hardly more than a decade old, can save lives, but it can also lead to disaster.

The New York Times

She built a big, half chateau-like house, with Italian gardens and terraces, where, like Melville, she lasted hardly more than a decade, entertaining Clyde Fitch and Henry James, and paying-visits to Charles Elito Norton, who lived not far away at Ashfield.

The New Yorker

These cities are hardly alone: for a decade local governments around the country have been rushing, at enormous public cost, to build new convention centers or enlarge old ones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly a decade", ensure the context clearly establishes what event or trend is being measured against this time frame. For instance, 'The company transformed in "hardly a decade", surprising many analysts'.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly a decade" when you mean 'almost a decade'. "Hardly" implies a surprisingly short duration, while 'almost' suggests nearing the full ten years. For example, instead of saying 'The technology was developed in "hardly a decade" when it took nine years', rephrase to 'The technology was developed in almost a decade'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly a decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a timeframe. It emphasizes the shortness of the period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly a decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing that something occurred in less than ten years, often surprisingly quickly. It is considered grammatically correct and is used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured against this timeframe to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely a decade

Changes the emphasis to suggest a minimal amount of time has passed.

scarcely a decade

Similar to 'barely', emphasizing the limited time.

not even a decade

Adds emphasis that the time period did not reach a full decade.

just under a decade

Specifies the time frame as being slightly less than ten years.

not quite a decade

Emphasizes the incompleteness of the ten-year period.

nearly a decade

Expresses that the time frame is approaching but not fully a decade.

close to a decade

Indicates a duration approaching ten years, without quite reaching it.

less than ten years

States the duration explicitly, avoiding the word 'decade'.

under a decade

A more concise way of saying 'less than a decade'.

a short decade

Highlights the brevity of the decade being discussed.

FAQs

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

Use "hardly a decade" to emphasize that something significant has occurred in a surprisingly short amount of time. For example, 'The field of artificial intelligence has advanced significantly in "hardly a decade"'.

What are some alternatives to saying "hardly a decade"?

You can use alternatives like "barely a decade", "just under a decade", or "not even a decade" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it more appropriate to say "hardly a decade" or "almost a decade"?

"Hardly a decade" emphasizes that something happened in a surprisingly short period, while "almost a decade" means that something took close to ten years. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the brevity or the length of the period.

What is the difference between "hardly a decade" and "a decade"?

"A decade" refers to a period of ten years, while "hardly a decade" implies that the period was less than ten years and that the brevity is noteworthy. Saying something happened in "hardly a decade" suggests it was faster than expected.