hardly cover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly cover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not sufficiently address or encompass a topic or issue. Example: "The report hardly covers the main points we discussed in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That would hardly cover Dick Grasso's salary.

The New York Times

At this point, I hardly cover the daily violence.

The New York Times

Indeed, the media in these countries hardly cover the crisis at all.

The Economist

The state media in these countries hardly cover the crisis at all.

The Economist

Chains of dots cover the frequency range of ∼ 150 MHz and hardly cover the entire frequency range of observations.

Advances in Space Research

It is a part of our world that the mass media hardly cover, but we consider it very important".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Hardly covered the Trojans winning the NCAA women's track title while while covering 'ruin baseball and softball ad nauseum until done and buried.

Los Angeles Times

Voluptuous hardly covers it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Five hundred and seven". Audacious hardly covers it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My profession hardly covered itself in glory.

Independent

They hardly covered it at all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly cover", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to be covered but is not. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly cover" when something is completely ignored; "doesn't cover" is more appropriate in such cases. "Hardly cover" implies some level of attention, however insufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly cover" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something provides insufficient or minimal coverage. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing how it denotes a lack of thoroughness or completeness in addressing a topic or issue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly cover" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, to convey that something is insufficiently addressed or minimally covered. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, emphasizing its role in highlighting deficiencies. For alternative expressions, consider "barely cover" or "scarcely cover". When using "hardly cover", be sure the context illustrates the expected coverage to amplify the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely cover

Indicates a minimal level of coverage, emphasizing the lack of completeness.

scarcely cover

Highlights the inadequacy of the coverage, implying it's just enough to notice but not sufficient.

doesn't fully address

Focuses on the lack of complete attention or treatment to a topic or issue.

fails to encompass

Stresses the inability to include all aspects or elements.

falls short of

Implies a failure to meet a required or expected standard of coverage.

inadequately addresses

Highlights the insufficient attention or treatment given to a particular subject.

only partially covers

Emphasizes the limitation and incompleteness of the coverage.

provides limited coverage

Shows that the coverage is restricted and doesn't go into much detail.

touches on but doesn't explore

Highlights that something is mentioned briefly but not examined thoroughly.

glances over

Suggests a quick and superficial treatment, lacking in-depth analysis.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly cover" to indicate that something provides insufficient coverage or attention to a particular topic. For example, "The budget will "hardly cover" the cost of basic needs".

What are some alternatives to "hardly cover"?

Alternatives to "hardly cover" include phrases like "barely cover", "scarcely cover", or "doesn't fully address", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hardly covers"?

Yes, "hardly covers" is grammatically correct when the subject is singular and third-person. For example, "The report "hardly covers" the key issues."

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

"Hardly cover" suggests that something receives minimal or insufficient attention, while "not cover" indicates that something receives no attention at all. "Hardly cover" implies that it is mentioned in some way, though it's very limited, whereas "not cover" indicates complete omission.