hardly around the corner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly around the corner" is not correct in standard English usage.
It may be intended to convey that something is not imminent or close, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The deadline for the project is hardly around the corner; we still have several weeks to prepare."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A rebound is hardly around the corner.

The New York Times

Still, Easy Street is hardly around the corner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Scientists cautioned then that optical invisibility was hardly just around the corner.

The New York Times - Science

With automobile sales plunging and $2-a-gallon 2-a-gallon 2-a-gallonthe corner, the time would hardly seem ripe to introduce the New American Sports Car.

Forbes

Carnage was just around the corner.

The Guardian

"Just around the corner".

The New York Times

"Christmas is just around the corner.

Independent

It's just around the corner.

The Economist

July 4th is just around the corner.

Independent

Darkness was just around the corner.

The New York Times

September is just around the corner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "hardly around the corner" in formal writing. It is considered awkward and unclear. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "not just around the corner" or "far from imminent".

Common error

Don't assume that combining "hardly" with spatial metaphors works effectively. While "around the corner" suggests nearness, "hardly" negates this in an unconventional way, leading to confusion. Stick to established expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly around the corner" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or imminence of an event. However, it is not grammatically sound. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrasing is unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly around the corner" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use. While it attempts to convey that something is not imminent, its phrasing is awkward and unclear. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It appears rarely, with most examples originating from news and media sources, but this does not validate its appropriateness. For clearer communication, it is better to use alternatives such as "not just around the corner" or "far from imminent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just around the corner

Emphasizes the distance or time before something happens, providing a clearer and more common way to express the idea.

far from imminent

Uses more formal language to indicate that something is not likely to occur soon.

not close at hand

Suggests something is not easily reachable or obtainable, either physically or metaphorically.

a long way off

Indicates a significant distance or time remains before something happens.

not in the foreseeable future

Indicates that something is not expected to happen in the near term.

not on the horizon

Suggests something is not yet visible or apparent, implying it's distant or unlikely.

not within reach

Implies something is not easily achievable or attainable.

in the distant future

Emphasizes the remoteness in time of a future event or occurrence.

not expected anytime soon

Directly states that something is not anticipated to happen in the near future.

quite a ways off

Similar to "a long way off" but may imply a greater distance or time.

FAQs

What does "hardly around the corner" mean?

The phrase "hardly around the corner" is intended to mean that something is not close or imminent, but it's considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrasing is unclear and should be avoided in favor of alternatives.

What can I say instead of "hardly around the corner"?

You can use alternatives like "not just around the corner", "far from imminent", or "a long way off" to express that something is not happening soon.

Is "hardly around the corner" grammatically correct?

No, "hardly around the corner" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect phrasing.

Which is correct, "hardly around the corner" or "just around the corner"?

"Just around the corner" is a common and correct idiom meaning something is very near or will happen soon. "Hardly around the corner" is not a standard expression and should be avoided in formal writing.