hardly exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very rare or almost nonexistent. Example: "In this remote area, modern conveniences hardly exist, making life quite challenging for the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In fact, they hardly exist.

The Economist

Spring and autumn hardly exist.

The Guardian - Travel

Its vaunted parliament, banks and judiciary hardly exist.

The Economist

Sometimes his photographs seem so discreet, they hardly exist.

The Guardian - Arts

Although constipation affects quality of life, questionnaires hardly exist for its evaluation.

Medicina Clínica

Hollywood comedies hardly exist anymore because Hollywood ordinariness doesn't exist anymore.

The New Yorker

Mickelson might be surprised to learn that those "original designs" hardly exist now.

The New York Times - Sports

The disparities that abound in Europe hardly exist in South America.

The New York Times - Sports

Methodologies for risk forecasts of severe weather hardly exist on the scale of nowcasting (0 3 hours).

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part B: Hydrology, Oceans and Atmosphere

In collaborative ework, such common grounds for decision making offered by a shared work context hardly exist.

Procedia Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sex education hardly exists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly exist", ensure that the context clearly indicates a state of near non-existence rather than complete absence. This conveys a nuanced meaning that something is present but to such a small degree as to be practically absent.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly exist" when referring to something that is completely absent. Using phrases like "completely absent" or "nonexistent" will ensure more accurate and emphatic communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly exist" functions as a qualifier, indicating a near-absence or extreme scarcity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly exist" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is present to such a minimal degree that it is practically non-existent. Ludwig's AI analysis, along with numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and scientific journals, confirms its validity and widespread usage. While versatile, its neutral to formal register suggests that it is most appropriate for factual reporting, analytical discussions, and contexts where precision is valued. When using "hardly exist", ensure it reflects near non-existence rather than complete absence, and be aware of the subtle differences between it and alternatives like ""barely exist"" or ""scarcely exist"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely exist

Emphasizes the marginal existence of something, close in meaning but with a slightly different tone.

scarcely exist

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of something's existence.

virtually nonexistent

Stresses that something is almost completely absent.

almost nonexistent

Indicates a near-absence of something.

rarely found

Focuses on the infrequency of encountering something.

infrequently present

Highlights the lack of regular presence.

minimally present

Emphasizes the very small extent of something's presence.

tenuously exist

Suggests a fragile or precarious existence.

exist in name only

Implies that something exists formally but not practically.

exist to a negligible degree

Highlights the insignificance of something's existence.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly exist" to describe something that is very rare or almost nonexistent. For example, "In this remote area, modern conveniences "hardly exist"."

What are some alternatives to "hardly exist"?

Some alternatives include "barely exist", "scarcely exist", or "virtually nonexistent", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "don't hardly exist"?

No, "don't hardly exist" is grammatically incorrect because "hardly" already carries a negative meaning. The correct phrase is ""hardly exist"".

What's the difference between "hardly exist" and "rarely exist"?

"Hardly exist" implies something is close to not existing at all, while "rarely exist" means it exists but is uncommon. The former indicates a greater degree of scarcity.