hardly ever worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly ever worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item, typically clothing or accessories, that has been used very infrequently. Example: "This dress is in excellent condition because it has been hardly ever worn since I bought it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Fashion

Personal anecdotes

Consumerism

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In terms of vintage, there are now a number of websites specialising in high-end designer items, including Vestaire Collective, Hardly Ever Worn It, Edit Second Hand and Fashion Bloodhound.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I hardly ever wear suits," she said.

The New York Times - Style

WHAT I WON'T WEAR I like skinny jeans during the day, but I hardly ever wear them out at night.

The New York Times

I hardly ever wear glasses when I look in the mirror, even when I'm getting ready to go out and painting my face like a Jezebel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Williams, whose grandfather, James Williams, once managed the Cleveland Indians, hardly ever wears a necktie, lives in Greenwich Village, and may be unknown to any maître d'hôtel north of Fourteenth Street.

The New Yorker

Mary liked that: I hardly ever wear shoes or socks, so I think she thought that showing me barefoot was a great way of referencing that aspect of me.

The Guardian - Arts

We even pretend we love shoes more than we do, keeping lots of shoes we hardly ever wear with the excuse that "I'm just crazy about shoes!" – when the truth is that at least 70% are just mistakes, shoes we thought we could wear in a moment of craving in the shop, then found on their first outing that this was far from the case.

The Guardian - Opinion

You'll remember that your mom almost always wore a ponytail and hardly ever wore makeup.

HuffPost

I had a very nice suit at home, but I hardly ever wore it; weddings and funerals only.

Huffington Post

"I have a lot of Chuck Taylors, but I hardly ever wear these ones, so they smell pretty new". .

Vice

I sold the green sparkly skirt my wife hardly ever wore — I didn't even realize I'd missed seeing her in it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of secondhand clothing or items, using "hardly ever worn" can indicate excellent condition due to minimal use.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly ever worn" if the item shows significant signs of wear. Be honest about the item's condition to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly ever worn" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something has been worn. It's used to indicate the infrequency of use, similar to adverbs like 'rarely' or 'seldom.' According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly ever worn" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe items, most commonly clothing, that have seen very little use. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most often encountered in neutral contexts, particularly when describing items for sale or in personal anecdotes. While semantically similar to phrases like "rarely worn" or "seldom worn", it's important to use it accurately, ensuring the item's condition aligns with the implication of minimal use. Overstating an item's condition can undermine your credibility. Use this phrase to clearly communicate an item's excellent condition due to infrequent use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely worn

Emphasizes the infrequency of use, similar to the original phrase.

almost never worn

Stresses the extreme infrequency of use, close to never having been used.

seldom worn

A more formal way to express that an item is not worn often.

not often worn

A straightforward way of saying the item is not used frequently.

barely worn

Indicates minimal use, suggesting the item is almost new.

infrequently used

Broader term applicable to items beyond clothing, indicating a lack of regular usage.

scarcely used

Highlights the limited nature of its use, almost to the point of being unused.

worn only a few times

Specifies the number of times the item has been used, giving a more concrete sense of its condition.

worn on rare occasions

Focuses on the special nature of the times the item is used.

used sparingly

Implies that the item was used cautiously or deliberately infrequently.

FAQs

What does "hardly ever worn" mean?

The phrase "hardly ever worn" means that something, typically an item of clothing or an accessory, has been used very infrequently. It suggests the item is in good condition due to limited use.

What can I say instead of "hardly ever worn"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely worn", "seldom worn", or "infrequently used" depending on the context.

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

You might say, "I'm selling this jacket; it's in great condition because it's "hardly ever worn"."

Is "hardly ever worn" formal or informal?

The phrase "hardly ever worn" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts.