hardly likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly likely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express something that is not very probable or likely to occur. For example, "It's hardly likely that I'll win the lottery this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Responses are coded as 'Very often' (scoring 4), 'Fairly often' (3), 'Occasionally' (2), 'Hardly ever' (1) or 'Never' (0).

BMC Public Health

It's hardly E=mc2.

The New Yorker

Well really, this is hardly 007, is it?

The Guardian

That new Sophora is a shrub about 4 hardly 5 feet high.

University of California, Berkeley

The per capita availability of grain in the less developed countries is hardly 200 kg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a ratings comparison, the men's tournament is hardly 100 times better.

The New York Times - Sports

We've walked for hardly 15 minutes when I smell smoke.

The Guardian - Travel

With a time period of hardly 20 days, students have created novel designs on tangible user interaction and edutainment.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Similarly, we awarded 70% of Infosys's equity to people who had hardly 18 months of experience.

Harvard Business Review

West Bengal has a peculiar configuration; its breadth varies from 200 miles (320 km) at one point to hardly 10 miles (16 km) at another.

Britannica

In 1814 New Orleans had counted hardly 20 steamboat arrivals; within 20 years the figure had reached 1,200.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "unlikely" or "improbable" for clearer and more impactful writing, especially in formal contexts. While grammatically sound, "hardly likely" can sometimes sound awkward to a native English speaker.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly likely" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more direct and widely accepted synonyms like "unlikely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly likely" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating a low probability or possibility. Although grammatically sound according to Ludwig AI, its infrequent use makes it less conventional than other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly likely" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express improbability. However, its infrequent usage suggests it may not be the most effective choice in many contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, clearer and more direct synonyms like "unlikely" or "improbable" are generally preferred, especially in formal settings. While it functions as an adverbial modifier, its neutral register and rare occurrence suggest careful consideration before use, making sure it fits the intended tone and audience. Therefore, consider using stronger, more common alternatives for better clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely

A more direct and common synonym for "not likely".

improbable

Suggests a lower probability than "unlikely".

not very probable

A more verbose way of expressing low probability.

scarcely possible

Emphasizes the difficulty or remoteness of the possibility.

highly doubtful

Highlights the speaker's skepticism about the possibility.

not a chance

An informal expression indicating no possibility.

slim chance

Indicates that there is a very small probability.

remote possibility

Emphasizes the distance or unlikelihood of the event.

barely possible

Highlights the minimal possibility of the event.

against the odds

Implies that success is possible but faces significant obstacles.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly likely" to express something that is improbable, but it's often more effective to use alternatives like "unlikely" or "improbable".

What phrases are similar to "hardly likely"?

Similar phrases include "not very probable", "highly doubtful", and "scarcely possible", each expressing a degree of improbability.

Is "hardly likely" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hardly likely" is grammatically correct, but it is less common and can sound awkward compared to more direct synonyms.

When should I avoid using "hardly likely"?

It's best to avoid "hardly likely" in formal writing where clarity and conciseness are paramount. Opt for more straightforward alternatives such as "unlikely".