hardly moving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly moving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is barely in motion or is moving very slowly. Example: "The car was hardly moving in the heavy traffic, inching forward at a snail's pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

We were hardly moving.

The New Yorker

The boats on Roaring Water Bay are hardly moving.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were, however, moving the leaves around with great efficiency while hardly moving themselves.

The New York Times

Bakewell described their "quite honking" accent that came "from the back of the throat, hardly moving their mouths".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"She's hauling down the mountain, her skis probably going 60," Tracy told me, "but the rest of her was hardly moving.

The New York Times - Magazine

On the other hand, Antarctica is hardly moving and has been in a polar position undergoing glaciation for about 30 million years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Hardly moves".

The Guardian - Books

"I could hardly move.

The New York Times

The Red Sox infielders hardly moved.

The New York Times - Sports

For several years, the stock hardly moved.

The New Yorker

I could hardly move my arm.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "hardly moving" with adverbs like 'at all' for emphasis, such as 'The pendulum was hardly moving at all'.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly moving" with verbs that already imply action or progress. For example, instead of saying "The project was hardly moving forward vigorously", consider "The project was hardly moving forward at all".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly moving" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to describe a state of minimal or slow movement. It serves to provide context about the lack of significant motion, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly moving" is a versatile phrase used to describe minimal or slow movement, functioning as an adjectival phrase to modify nouns or pronouns. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media, science and encyclopedias. It serves to emphasize a lack of progress or activity. The analysis indicates a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, underscoring its reliability in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely moving

Emphasizes the closeness to a complete stop.

scarcely moving

Indicates a small degree of movement.

almost stationary

Focuses on the lack of change in position.

nearly motionless

Highlights the absence of movement.

creeping slowly

Suggests a very gradual and almost imperceptible movement.

inching along

Implies moving forward in small increments, often with difficulty.

making little progress

Focuses on the lack of advancement or forward motion.

virtually still

Emphasizes the resemblance to being completely unmoving.

at a standstill

Describes a situation where movement has ceased.

slowing to a crawl

Describes a rapid reduction in speed resulting in very slow movement.

FAQs

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

"Hardly moving" can describe something with very slow or minimal motion. For example, "The traffic was "hardly moving" during rush hour" or "The old clock's hands were "hardly moving" after years of disuse."

What are some alternatives to "hardly moving"?

Alternatives include "barely moving", "scarcely moving", or "almost stationary". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hardly moving at all"?

Yes, "hardly moving at all" is grammatically correct and used for emphasis. It strengthens the idea of minimal or no movement, as in, "The plot was "hardly moving at all"; nothing interesting happened."

What's the difference between "hardly moving" and "not moving"?

"Hardly moving" implies some slight movement, whereas "not moving" indicates complete stillness. For example, "The patient was "hardly moving", but still breathing" versus "The statue was "not moving", a picture of complete stillness."