hardly ever used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly ever used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is infrequently utilized or rarely employed in practice. Example: "This tool is hardly ever used in our daily operations, as we have more efficient alternatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The couple had hardly ever used their deck in Cragsmoor.

The New York Times

Yet, as anyone who has visited a hospital recently will know, they are hardly ever used.

The Economist

The word "feminism," hardly ever used in the United States before 1910, was everywhere by 1913.

The New Yorker

We had a phone of course but hardly ever used it.

The Guardian

Charles H. Grice, a banking expert, said that statute was hardly ever used.

The New York Times

Then I took over the office nook she had claimed (but hardly ever used) and made it my own.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Most consumer goods have also gotten cheaper as companies like Asos and IKEA allow us to buy insane amounts of things we hardly ever use.

Vice

I'Mostt consumerd, so I've decided to speak to someone of the frontline of stuff, Chris Smith of www.reliablevanservices.com, a removal man of over seven years' experience, to see what he makes of our fluctuatingoodsan crap levels.

Vice

We hardly ever use any advertising still".

The Guardian

The rest I hardly ever use.

The Guardian - Business

"We hardly ever use the dining-room table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limited functionality of a feature or tool, use "hardly ever used" to clearly convey its underutilization. For instance, "The emergency brake is "hardly ever used" under normal driving conditions."

Common error

Avoid using "hardly ever used" when something is completely obsolete or never used at all. Instead, consider phrases like "obsolete" or "never used" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly ever used" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is utilized. It typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, expressing that the action or state occurs infrequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly ever used" is a grammatically sound and frequently encountered adverbial modifier that indicates infrequent usage. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, it's appropriate across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While synonyms like "rarely utilized" or "seldom employed" exist, it is a straightforward way to express that something is available but not a common practice. Remember to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements and considering context for the best impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely utilized

Emphasizes the infrequency of use, suggesting something is uncommon.

seldom employed

Highlights the infrequent application of something, often in a formal context.

infrequently applied

Focuses on the lack of regular application or implementation.

scarcely used

Indicates a minimal amount of usage, close to non-existent.

almost never used

Directly conveys the idea that something is close to never being used.

not often used

A more straightforward and common way of expressing infrequent use.

uncommonly used

Suggests that the usage is atypical or unusual.

occasionally used

Indicates use that is only sporadic or at irregular intervals.

sparingly used

Implies that something is used in small amounts or infrequently to conserve it.

minimally applied

Stresses that the application is kept to a minimum.

FAQs

What does "hardly ever used" mean?

The phrase "hardly ever used" indicates that something is used very infrequently or rarely. It implies that while the item or concept is available, it is not a common practice or occurrence.

What are some alternatives to "hardly ever used"?

You can use alternatives such as "rarely utilized", "seldom employed", or "infrequently applied" to convey a similar meaning.

How to use "hardly ever used" in a sentence?

Example: "The back entrance is "hardly ever used" since everyone prefers to enter through the main lobby." This shows that the back entrance exists but is not a common point of entry.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hardly ever used"?

Yes, "hardly ever used" is grammatically correct. The adverb "hardly ever" modifies the verb "used" to indicate a low frequency of usage.