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Discover LudwigThe phrase "hardly could" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that is used to express doubt or disbelief, as in "I hardly could believe it". It can also be used as a polite way to refuse something, as in "I hardly could accept your offer".
Exact(52)
They hardly could.
That intention hardly could have been more clearly expressed.
"I hardly could get up the lighthouse today".
Baseball's 2011 Ivy League Championship Series matched two teams that hardly could have been more different.
It is certainly not a paragon of chic, but it hardly could be.
Namely, comparisons of straw and fuel oil hardly could lead to the conclusion that these two fuels are mutually substitutable.
Similar(8)
"Hardly anyone could recognise him".
"I could hardly speak.
"I could hardly breathe.
I could hardly stand.
I could hardly wait".
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com