hardly equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two things are not similar or comparable to a significant degree. Example: "The two proposals are hardly equivalent in terms of their potential impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The two political systems are hardly equivalent.

The New York Times

The Rome depicted in Shakespeare's play and our own fractious democracy are of course hardly equivalent.

The New York Times

It took place on a 300 metre highway and was hardly equivalent to actual traffic conditions.

The Guardian

That they were not in 1948, or in 1967, is surely a sore point, but it is hardly equivalent to the moral claim of a people chased through history from their homes and their roots.

The New York Times

Everywhere cultural and religious identities - and these, whether they're Christian, Hindu, Muslim or Jewish, are hardly equivalent to personal faith - were beginning to take precedence over other kinds of political groupings.

The Guardian - Books

These are hardly equivalent charges.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(They're hardly the equivalent of the giant rubber-band ball).

The New York Times

Fundamental equality, however, is hardly the equivalent of a liquor law that can vary on opposite sides of a state line.

The New York Times

But, putting aside the question of whether this opinion can fairly be called the opinion of the court, 2 such a recital in an appellate opinion is hardly the equivalent of findings made by the trier of the facts.

Cornell University

This number failed to match the first weekend of wide play for the quirky British film Calendar Girls in 2003 (£1.76m), but the singing fishermen hardly boast equivalent appeal to Women's Institute members who strip.

The Guardian - Film

Harlequins v Saracens London rugby is hardly the equivalent of football in Rome, Milan or Madrid: the divide has little to do with class politics, although the  cravat-and-corduroy set are far more likely to be spotted at Quins than at Saracens.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly equivalent", ensure that the context clearly establishes the two items being compared and that the degree of non-equivalence is significant enough to warrant the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly equivalent" when the items being compared have only minor differences. Using the phrase in such cases can exaggerate the disparity and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly equivalent" functions as an evaluative expression, used to diminish the degree of similarity or comparability between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suggests that while some connection may exist, it is insignificant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly equivalent" serves to diminish the perceived similarity between two subjects, asserting that they are not substantially comparable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media sources. While alternatives like "scarcely comparable" or "not really equivalent" can be used, it's crucial to ensure that "hardly equivalent" is employed only when the disparity is significant, avoiding its misuse for minor differences. The phrase functions primarily to highlight distinctions and prevent assumptions of equality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely comparable

Replaces "hardly" with "scarcely", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning of a lack of strong comparison.

not really equivalent

Substitutes "hardly" with "not really", softening the tone while conveying a similar message of dissimilarity.

not at all equivalent

Emphasizes the lack of equivalence more strongly than "hardly equivalent".

far from equivalent

Highlights a significant difference and lack of similarity.

not nearly equivalent

Indicates a considerable gap in equivalence, focusing on the extent of the difference.

remotely equivalent

Suggests the possibility of equivalence is very small or distant.

vaguely equivalent

Implies a very weak or uncertain sense of equivalence.

loosely equivalent

Suggests a general or approximate, but not precise, equivalence.

somewhat similar

Shifts focus to a degree of similarity rather than a lack of equivalence.

dissimilar

Emphasizes the differences rather than the lack of complete equivalence.

FAQs

What does "hardly equivalent" mean?

The phrase "hardly equivalent" means that two things are not similar or comparable to a significant degree. They may share some characteristics, but their differences are substantial enough to make them unequal or dissimilar in important respects.

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

You can use "hardly equivalent" to compare two things and point out that they are not really the same. For example, "The effort required for the two tasks is "not at all equivalent"".

What are some alternatives to "hardly equivalent"?

Some alternatives to "hardly equivalent" include "scarcely comparable", "not really equivalent", "far from equivalent", and "dissimilar". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "hardly equivalent" instead of "not equivalent"?

"Hardly equivalent" suggests a lesser degree of equivalence than "not equivalent". Use "hardly equivalent" when there is a slight resemblance or similarity, but it's insufficient to consider them the same. If there's absolutely no similarity, "not equivalent" is more appropriate.