hardly alike

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly alike" is a valid expression that can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two or more items are very different. For example: "The two houses looked similar from the outside, but on the inside they were hardly alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But they are hardly alike.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the two women were hardly alike.

The Economist

But venture funds are hardly alike.

The New York Times

But IMI and WPP are hardly alike.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

While citizens in a given area hardly think alike, they tend to vote in broadly the same pattern.

The New York Times

At first sight, Osborne and Bernstein could hardly be less alike.

The Guardian

But Vermont's decisions could hardly be less alike: the G.M.O.

The New Yorker

AT first blush, the pianists Eldar Djangirov and Dave Brubeck could hardly seem less alike.

The New York Times

THEY have been known as the Woodies, the Australian doubles of doubles, though they look nothing alike, hardly play alike and have based themselves on opposite coasts of the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite the obvious parallels between his campaign and Mr. McCarthy's, the two men could hardly be less alike.

The New York Times

Conceived at the height of the boom but only recently put on the market, the new town houses could hardly be less alike in style.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly alike", ensure that the subjects being compared have been clearly introduced to provide context for the comparison. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly alike" when the subjects are completely opposite. The phrase suggests some level of comparison exists, even if the differences are significant. For total opposites, use phrases like "completely different".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly alike" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating the degree of similarity between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that the subjects being compared possess distinct differences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly alike" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to emphasize the distinct differences between two or more subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to convey a notable lack of similarity. While its register is generally neutral, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. Although "hardly alike" might not be a high-frequency phrase, it's appropriate to use when you need to highlight significant dissimilarities without suggesting complete opposition. Be sure to provide enough context about the subjects being compared and remember it implies some basis for comparison, however slight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite different

Highlights the distinction between the subjects more directly.

distinctly unalike

Uses a more emphatic way to describe lack of similarity.

contrast sharply

Highlights the significant differences that make them stand out against each other.

not very similar

Emphasizes a lack of similarity without the strong implication of difference.

differ substantially

Indicates a significant degree of difference.

bear little resemblance

Emphasizes the absence of shared characteristics or features.

diverge significantly

Focuses on the subjects moving apart or differing in a notable way.

markedly dissimilar

Uses a more formal tone to emphasize the distinct differences.

have little in common

Highlights the lack of shared attributes between the subjects.

not particularly comparable

Focuses on the difficulty of drawing comparisons due to the differences.

FAQs

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

Use "hardly alike" to compare two or more subjects that have noticeable differences. For example, "Although they are siblings, their personalities are "hardly alike"".

What's the difference between "hardly alike" and "not alike"?

"Hardly alike" suggests a stronger degree of difference than "not alike". "Not alike" simply means they are different, while "hardly alike" implies they have very few similarities.

What are some alternatives to saying "hardly alike"?

You can use alternatives like "quite different", "distinctly unalike", or "not very similar" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly alike" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly alike" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that two subjects are significantly different. You can also use alternatives like "markedly dissimilar" for a more emphasized and formal tone.