hardly different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly different from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are very similar or almost the same, with only minor differences. Example: "The two proposals are hardly different from each other, making it difficult to choose one over the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

That is hardly different from what the rate is today.

The New Yorker

That, of course, made the White House hardly different from most other political operations.

The Washington Post

Sending phone calls through coaxial cable is hardly different from using thin phone wiring.

The New York Times - Tech

Fatherhood or not, this start was hardly different from any of Pelfrey's previous underwhelming outings.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact some of these individuals seemed hardly different from, well, me.

The New York Times - Health

The Yankees of May 2010 are hardly different from the Yankees of May 2009.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But the experience of watching the play is hardly any different from the passive experience of sitting in a coffee shop, except that it costs more and you can't get a pastrami sandwich.

The New Yorker

Spanish writer and philosopher Paul B Preciado, formerly Beatriz, and the author of the memoir Testo Junkie, said that the media's presentation of Jenner's gender transition was hardly any different from that of Christine Jorgensen, who became the first person to be widely known for undergoing sex reassignment in the 1950s, or the tennis player Renée Richards in the 1970s.

The Guardian

Bertrand Russell, who could hardly be different from Jung in terms of his spiritual outlook, nonetheless averred that the happy individual feels himself "part of the stream of life, not a hard separate entity like a billiard ball, which can have no relation with other such entities except that of collision".

The Guardian - Opinion

Known as the peyote gardens, this land looks hardly any different from the rest of western Texas to the untrained eye.

Vice

One could hardly be different from the other in terms of atmosphere, for Barbetta is a townhouse resplendent in baroque and 19th century antiques, while San Carlo, with just 50 seats, is as modern as a new Alfa-Romeo Spider.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly different from" to subtly highlight a lack of significant change or distinction, rather than stating complete sameness. This can be useful in persuasive writing or nuanced analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly different from" when there are noticeable differences. It implies a high degree of similarity, so ensure this aligns with the facts to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly different from" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to qualify a noun or pronoun by indicating a small degree of dissimilarity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly different from" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a high degree of similarity with only minor distinctions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "virtually indistinguishable from" or "almost identical to" exist, "hardly different from" offers a subtle way to downplay differences. Remember to ensure the context aligns with the implication of near equivalence, and leverage its persuasive potential in nuanced analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually indistinguishable from

Emphasizes an almost complete lack of perceptible difference.

scarcely distinguishable from

Highlights the difficulty in noticing any differences.

almost identical to

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, nearing perfect likeness.

not far removed from

Indicates a close relationship or resemblance.

much the same as

Conveys a strong sense of similarity in nature or function.

essentially equivalent to

Focuses on the functional similarity, even if superficial differences exist.

tantamount to

Asserts that the two things are equal in effect or value.

of a piece with

Highlights that something matches or is consistent with something else.

akin to

Indicates a resemblance in quality or character.

bears a resemblance to

Suggests a recognizable similarity, though not necessarily a strong one.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly different from" in a sentence?

Use "hardly different from" to express that something is very similar to something else, with only minor differences. For example, "The new model is "hardly different from" the previous version."

What are some alternatives to "hardly different from"?

Alternatives include "virtually indistinguishable from", "almost identical to", or "not far removed from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly different from" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly different from" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and whether a more precise term might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "hardly different from" and "slightly different from"?

"Hardly different from" indicates a high degree of similarity with minimal differences, while "slightly different from" implies that there are noticeable, though perhaps not major, differences. The choice depends on the extent of the dissimilarity you wish to convey.