hardly conforming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly conforming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not fully meet or adhere to certain standards or expectations. Example: "The new policy is hardly conforming to the regulations set by the governing body."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either way, he hardly conforms to our ideal of the abstemious, self-disciplined ascetic.

The New York Times - Arts

The global crunch hardly conformed to the notion of a few bad countries getting their just deserts.

The New York Times - Books

Even "conceptual" was too narrow a term for Baldessari, whose own work hardly conformed to the puritanical strictures of its principal theorists.

The New Yorker

He hardly conforms to the perceived Bolton stereotype yet has quickly become a crowd favourite at the Reebok despite, or maybe because of, his lack of height and muscle.

The Guardian - Sport

They hardly conform to the stereotype of the private dick.Tommy Helsby, chairman of Kroll's European division, recalls that a few years ago the company sent an employee to speak to the board of a large bank.

The Economist

The joke, about as subtle as they come in this movie, is that Ms. Diaz hardly conforms to the steatopygous ideal of female beauty the song celebrates, but Natalie is too goofily naive to notice or to care.

The New York Times

Granted, at nearly 36 Sol Campbell hardly conforms to this blueprint but he did come on a free transfer and Chris Hughton had to plead special dispensation to recruit a defender he once coached at Tottenham.

The Guardian - Sport

As different as these shows are from one another -- and as much as "Mamma Mia!" and "Metamorphoses" hardly conform to conventional notions of Broadway entertainment -- they all, for better or worse, sustain a consistent tone.

The New York Times

Excessively establishing and maintaining small cells will result in the expensive backhaul cost, which can hardly conform to the case of fluctuant traffic.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Looking at those half-naked, sunburned figures sweating away far below, you cannot help but reflect that they hardly conform to the popular stereotype of the scientist.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We'd not met previously, but finding ourselves side-by-side now, gently touching my shoulder, Amanda kissed me, smiling and said, "Michael, hello!" Her attire, that early evening, had hardly conformed to what I had seen in photographs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly conforming", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or expectation is not being met. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly conforming" when you mean completely non-conforming. "Hardly" implies a small degree of conformity is present, not a total absence of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly conforming" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which something meets a particular standard or expectation. It expresses a low degree of compliance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly conforming" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a low degree of compliance or adherence to a standard. While not overly common, its presence across various reputable sources such as news outlets, scientific publications and encyclopedias demonstrates its validity and utility. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Alternatives such as "barely adhering" or "scarcely complying" can be used to convey similar meanings, but it's crucial to consider the specific nuance you wish to express. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject is failing to fully conform to, preventing potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely adhering

Implies a minimal level of adherence, suggesting something almost fails to meet requirements.

scarcely complying

Indicates a rare or infrequent compliance, highlighting the lack of conformity.

not really conforming

Emphasizes the absence of genuine conformity, suggesting a superficial or incomplete adherence.

only just conforming

Highlights that conformity is achieved by a narrow margin, barely meeting the required standards.

remotely conforming

Suggests a distant or indirect relationship to conformity, implying a loose or tenuous connection.

infrequently conforming

Focuses on the rare occasions when conformity occurs, emphasizing the usual lack of compliance.

rarely adhering

Indicates an uncommon adherence, highlighting the infrequent nature of compliance.

seldom complying

Similar to "rarely adhering", this stresses the infrequency of compliance with rules or standards.

not closely conforming

Suggests a significant deviation from expected norms or standards, indicating a lack of precision in conformity.

loosely adhering

Implies a flexible and not very strict adherence to requirements, suggesting a casual approach to conformity.

FAQs

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

Use "hardly conforming" to describe something that barely meets a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The new design is "hardly conforming" to the original specifications."

What can I say instead of "hardly conforming"?

You can use alternatives like "barely adhering", "scarcely complying", or "not closely conforming" depending on the specific context.

Is "hardly conforming" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hardly conforming" is grammatically correct. The adverb "hardly" modifies the verb "conforming" to indicate a minimal degree of compliance.

What is the difference between "hardly conforming" and "not conforming"?

"Hardly conforming" suggests a small amount of conformity, while "not conforming" implies a complete lack of conformity. The former indicates something is just barely meeting expectations, while the latter means it fails entirely.