hardly empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not completely devoid of content or substance, implying that there is still some presence or quantity. Example: "The box was hardly empty; it still contained a few old toys and some dust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But as much as orchestras and concert presenters would prefer to sell their tickets before the season starts, the seats are hardly empty.

The New York Times - Arts

Re "Two Bubbles, Two Paths" (Economic View, June 15), in which Alan S. Blinder said that "the Fed's kit bag is pretty much empty when it comes to stock-market prices" but "stuffed full when it comes to taking aim at bank lending practices": The Fed's bag is hardly empty regarding the stock market.

The New York Times

Because 60percentt of the line's riders head north and east after they arrive in Penn Station, the Grand Central connection will draw away many of them, said Christopher P. Boylan, deputy executive director of the M.T.A. Penn Station will hardly empty out.

The New York Times

Yet, while the space is hardly empty, Pacifico said, the quality of the user experience on these sites isn't great — the monetization strategy has been to employ a host of banner ads at the sacrifice of a clean UI.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But they are hardly empty-handed".

The New York Times - Tech

Altogether we have 123 projects in clinical trials -- hardly the "empty cupboard" pictured in the article.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton, of course, is hardly an empty vessel on the Middle East.

The New York Times

Loads of independent traders set the tone, with hardly an empty shop along the ancient high street.

The Guardian - Travel

Enlightenment values are hardly as empty as Houellebecq pretends; there is surely more fight left in the light than people want to admit.

The New Yorker

— CAMPBELL ROBERTSON The ceremony is 40 minutes away, but the stadium is nearly full, especially the upper decks, where there is hardly an empty seat.

The New York Times

Their contention is that sugar is hardly "an empty calorie," but rather an actively harmful one: "Fructose can trigger processes that lead to liver toxicity and a host of other chronic metabolic diseases".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly empty" to subtly indicate that something is not entirely without content or occupants, suggesting a degree of presence without being overly descriptive. For example, "The room was hardly empty; a few chairs were scattered around."

Common error

Avoid using "hardly empty" when you intend to describe something that is nearly full. "Hardly empty" implies a small amount of content, not a large one. Using "nearly full" or "almost overflowing" will more accurately describe something close to capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly empty" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It softens the adjective "empty", indicating a state that is not completely devoid. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies a partial presence rather than a complete absence. In several examples, the phrase directly precedes nouns, adding nuance to their description.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly empty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a state of partial presence rather than complete absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this idiom is suitable for describing scenarios where something is not entirely vacant or devoid of content. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is less common in more academic settings. The phrase allows for nuanced descriptions and, as the provided examples demonstrate, is often used to mitigate the starkness of the word "empty". When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately representing a small degree of content rather than a near-full state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely vacant

Emphasizes the limited availability or presence of something, similar to "hardly empty" but potentially suggesting even less content.

not quite vacant

Directly negates the idea of complete vacancy, suggesting that something is present to some degree.

partially full

Focuses on the presence of content rather than the absence, implying a state between empty and completely full.

not entirely devoid

Highlights the lack of complete absence, emphasizing that something still exists or is present.

somewhat occupied

Suggests that space or entity is taken up to some extent, implying a degree of fullness.

not completely bare

Emphasizes the absence of total nakedness or emptiness, suggesting a degree of covering or content.

with some content

Directly states that there is a certain amount of content present, contrasting with complete emptiness.

not wholly unfilled

Suggests that something has some level of occupancy.

lightly populated

Implies a sparse distribution of elements or occupants, rather than complete emptiness.

not absolutely empty

Very direct way of indicating that something is not completely devoid, suggesting some trace or presence.

FAQs

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

Use "hardly empty" to convey that something is not entirely vacant or devoid of content. For example, "The stadium was "hardly empty", with a scattering of fans braving the cold weather."

What phrases can I use instead of "hardly empty"?

You can use alternatives like "scarcely vacant", "not quite vacant", or "partially full" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "barely empty" instead of "hardly empty"?

While "barely empty" is grammatically correct, ""hardly empty"" is more commonly used to imply that something is not entirely without content. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "nearly empty" and "hardly empty"?

"Nearly empty" means something is close to being completely empty, while ""hardly empty"" means it is not quite empty and may contain some contents. The terms convey opposite levels of fullness.