hardly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not sufficient or inadequate. Example: We have been given hardly enough time to finish the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One evening was hardly enough.

The New York Times - Arts

But that was hardly enough.

The New York Times

It is hardly enough, many governors said.

The New York Times

Hardly enough to get by on.

The New Yorker

But a quick visit is hardly enough.

The New York Times - Travel

But that was hardly enough for her.

The New York Times

But those protections are hardly enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hardly enough for everyone, but a contribution.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But for residents here, that was hardly enough.

The New York Times

That's hardly enough recovery time for the hangover to clear.

The Guardian - Sport

Hardly enough bodies left to get out the paper.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly enough" to express polite disagreement or mild criticism when something falls short of expectations without being overly negative. For example, instead of saying "That's not enough", you can say "That's hardly enough".

Common error

Avoid using "hardly enough" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of something. "Hardly enough" implies a small degree of sufficiency, not a total absence. Use "not at all enough" or "completely insufficient" for stronger emphasis.

Linguistic Context

"Hardly enough" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate insufficiency or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and usable in English, as demonstrated by numerous examples. It expresses that something falls short of what is needed or expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is insufficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and the numerous examples show its prevalence in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it conveys mild disappointment or a need for more. When looking for alternatives, consider "scarcely sufficient", "barely adequate", or "not quite sufficient" for similar meaning. Remember to avoid using "hardly enough" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of something, as it implies a small degree of sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just not enough

Simply states the lack of sufficiency, like "hardly enough" but in a more casual tone.

not quite sufficient

Directly states the lack of sufficiency, comparable to "hardly enough" but with a more explicit tone.

scarcely sufficient

Emphasizes a minimal level of sufficiency, similar to "hardly enough" but uses more formal vocabulary.

barely adequate

Highlights the marginal acceptability of something, akin to "hardly enough" in conveying deficiency.

by no means enough

Emphasizes the insufficiency, similar to "hardly enough" but with a stronger negation.

certainly not enough

Affirms the lack of sufficiency with certainty, akin to "hardly enough" but more assertive.

in no way sufficient

Conveys a strong sense of inadequacy, similar to "hardly enough" but with a more formal and emphatic tone.

far from adequate

Expresses a greater degree of inadequacy than "hardly enough", indicating a significant shortfall.

not remotely adequate

Indicates that something is not even close to being adequate, more extreme than "hardly enough".

a long way from sufficient

Suggests a considerable gap between what is available and what is needed, implying greater inadequacy than "hardly enough".

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly enough" to express that something is insufficient or inadequate for a particular purpose. For example: "The funding provided was "hardly enough" to cover the project's expenses."

What can I say instead of "hardly enough"?

You can use alternatives like "scarcely sufficient", "barely adequate", or "not quite sufficient" depending on the context.

Is "hardly enough" formal or informal?

"Hardly enough" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more common in written or spoken language that aims for a degree of sophistication.

What's the difference between "hardly enough" and "not enough"?

"Hardly enough" implies that something is slightly closer to being sufficient than "not enough", but still falls short. "Not enough" is a more direct and general statement of insufficiency, while "hardly enough" adds a nuance of mild surprise or disappointment.