hardly matters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly matters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is of little importance or significance in a given context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, whether we finish this project today or tomorrow hardly matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The topic hardly matters.

The New York Times

But it hardly matters.

The New York Times

Yet it hardly matters.

The New York Times - Arts

The distinction hardly matters.

The New York Times

It hardly matters.

The New York Times - Books

Still, that hardly matters.

The New York Times

Yet that hardly matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

This hardly matters.

The Guardian

It hardly matters, though.

The New York Times

That hardly matters.

The New York Times

It hardly matters now.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly matters", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the subject is not significant. Providing a brief explanation can strengthen your point.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly matters" repeatedly in a short span of text. Overuse can make your writing seem dismissive or monotonous. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly matters" primarily functions as a comment adverbial, modifying the verb to indicate that something has little to no significance. As Ludwig indicates, it is a grammatically correct way to downplay the importance of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

10%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly matters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something holds minimal importance. As Ludwig's AI confirms, its usage is widespread and accepted, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to consider the subtle difference between "hardly matters" and stronger negations like "doesn't matter", and choose alternatives like "scarcely matters" or "of little consequence" for more formal contexts. Be mindful of overusing it to prevent your writing from sounding dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely matters

Emphasizes the slight impact or importance, similar to "hardly matters".

scarcely matters

Indicates that something has very little importance or effect.

almost irrelevant

Highlights the lack of relevance or significance of something.

of little consequence

Formally expresses that something is not important or significant.

essentially meaningless

Suggests that something lacks any real value or importance.

not really important

Simplifies the idea that something is not of great significance.

doesn't really count

Indicates that something is not significant or impactful.

virtually inconsequential

Emphasizes the minimal consequence or impact of something.

of minor importance

Highlights that something holds only a small amount of importance.

not a big deal

Informally conveys that something is not a significant problem or issue.

FAQs

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

"Hardly matters" indicates something is of little importance. For example, "Whether we leave now or in an hour "hardly matters"; the traffic will be the same."

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

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "of little consequence" or "scarcely matters", which convey a similar meaning with a more refined tone.

Is "hardly matters" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hardly matters" is grammatically correct. "Hardly" functions as an adverb modifying the verb "matters", indicating a low degree of importance.

What is the difference between "hardly matters" and "doesn't matter"?

"Hardly matters" suggests something has very little importance, while "doesn't matter" implies it has no importance at all. The former is a weaker statement.