hardly done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has barely been completed or is not fully accomplished. Example: "The project is hardly done, and we still have a lot of work ahead of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We've hardly done anything else".

The New York Times - Style

The town is hardly done.

The New York Times

We have been hardly done by here.

The Economist

But the fight is hardly done.

The New York Times

But her working day was hardly done.

The New York Times - Tech

In death, his art collection has hardly done worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, Cohen was hardly done with his searching.

The New Yorker

But he was hardly done for the day.

The New York Times

She told me that she had hardly done any work since the election.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Critics hardly do better.

The New Yorker

I hardly do that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly done" to convey that something is far from complete or has just begun. It emphasizes the lack of progress or the minimal amount of work finished.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly done" when you simply mean 'not done at all'. The phrase implies some initial action or a small degree of completion, not a complete absence of effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly done" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically to indicate the degree or extent to which an action has been completed. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a minimal degree of completion or progress. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is indeed correct and suitable for various contexts. Its versatility allows it to function effectively in both formal and informal settings, although it is most prevalent in news and media. When writing, it is crucial to ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning, implying some initial action, and not the complete absence of it. Alternatives such as "scarcely completed" or "barely begun" can provide subtle nuances to the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely completed

Emphasizes the minimal extent of completion.

barely begun

Highlights the initial stage of the action, suggesting a lack of significant progress.

not nearly finished

Focuses on the considerable amount of work remaining.

just started

Indicates the action has only recently commenced with no real development.

little progress made

Stresses the deficiency in advancement or achievement.

almost untouched

Suggests the action or task has been left virtually untouched.

virtually unaccomplished

Emphasizes the lack of accomplishment of the action.

faintly initiated

Highlights that the action has only been initiated in a minimal sense.

meagerly executed

Focuses on the poor quality or insignificant degree of execution.

only tentatively approached

Suggests a lack of commitment or a hesitant start to the action.

FAQs

What does "hardly done" mean?

The phrase "hardly done" means something is not nearly finished or barely started. It indicates a minimal amount of progress or completion.

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

You can use "hardly done" to express that a task or project is far from finished. For example, "The renovation is "not nearly finished"; it's "hardly done" at all."

What are some alternatives to "hardly done"?

Alternatives to "hardly done" include "scarcely completed", "barely begun", or "not nearly finished". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly done" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly done" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its usage is common across various contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.