hardly ever

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly ever" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something occurs very infrequently. For example: "I hardly ever eat fast food anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hardly ever.

The New York Times - Travel

"But hardly ever shootings".

The New York Times

He hardly ever stopped.

The New Yorker

It hardly ever works.

Independent

We hardly ever talk.

The New Yorker

That hardly ever happens.

The Economist

He hardly ever talks.

The New Yorker

It hardly ever happens.

The New Yorker

"I hardly ever haggle.

The New York Times

(Terese hardly ever answers).

The New York Times

I'm hardly ever ill.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly ever" to soften a negative statement, implying that something is generally not true but may occasionally happen.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "hardly ever" in your writing; vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "rarely", "seldom", or "infrequently" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly ever" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action or state. It modifies verbs, clauses, or entire sentences to express that something occurs very infrequently. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly ever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase indicating infrequent occurrence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase functions to soften statements, suggesting that something is generally untrue but may occasionally happen. It maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts, and is most commonly found in news and media sources, as shown in Ludwig's examples. When using "hardly ever", remember to vary your phrasing and ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of infrequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never

Focuses on the rarity from the perspective of reaching 'never'.

rarely

A single-word substitute denoting infrequent occurrence.

seldom

Similar to 'rarely' but slightly more formal and less common.

infrequently

Emphasizes the lack of frequency in a more formal tone.

scarcely ever

Highlights the minimal occurrence of an event.

not often

A straightforward way of expressing that something does not happen frequently.

almost never happens

Specifically emphasizes the infrequency of an event or situation.

on rare occasions

Indicates that something happens only a few times.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression indicating a very rare occurrence.

by no means often

An emphatic way of stating that something is not a frequent occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly ever" to indicate that something happens very infrequently. For example, "I "hardly ever" eat fast food" means you rarely eat fast food.

What's a more formal alternative to "hardly ever"?

More formal alternatives to "hardly ever" include "rarely", "seldom", or "infrequently". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is there a difference between "hardly ever" and "never"?

Yes, "hardly ever" means something happens very infrequently, while "never" means it doesn't happen at all. "Hardly ever" implies there might be a few exceptions, whereas "never" is absolute.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "hardly ever"?

A common mistake is using "hardly ever" when "never" is more appropriate. Ensure that the situation allows for the possibility of the event occurring at least once. Also, avoid overuse; vary your phrasing with alternatives like "almost never".