hardly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Example: "He is hardly of any importance in this discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Yet they are hardly of one mind.

The New York Times

Israelis are hardly of one mind.

The New Yorker

Speed is hardly of the essence, though.

The New York Times - Travel

A moment of tender recognition, but hardly of connection.

The New York Times - Books

The Restivo family background was hardly of a criminal bent.

The New York Times

Thus, a slave might dream of manumission but hardly of abolition.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But skepticism is hardly out of line.

The New York Times

Hardly state-of-the-art technology.

Vice

Hardly worthy of hyperbole.

The Guardian

But I hardly thought of her.

The New Yorker

This was hardly Tahrir Square, of course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "hardly of" appears in published sources, consider using alternatives like "scarcely of" or "barely of" for clearer and more grammatically sound writing. If the sentence allows, rephrase completely to avoid the prepositional construction entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly of" when more precise and grammatically correct alternatives are available. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound awkward or unclear. Prefer "scarcely of" or "barely of" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly of" functions as a qualifier, typically attempting to diminish the significance, quality, or amount of something. While it aims to express a minimal degree, its usage can be grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly of" is used to minimize or downplay something's significance, but it's often considered grammatically incorrect. While found in various sources, especially News & Media, Ludwig AI flags its incorrectness. It is advisable to opt for alternatives like "scarcely of" or "barely of" for clearer, more grammatically sound writing. Prioritize precision and clarity in your writing and avoid the phrase "hardly of", despite its common occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely of

Indicates a minimal amount or degree, similar to "hardly of" but generally more accepted.

scarcely of

Suggests a lack or insufficiency, close in meaning to "hardly of" and often interchangeable.

almost no

Emphasizes the near absence of something, offering a more direct alternative.

virtually no

Highlights the practical absence of something, similar to "almost no" but slightly stronger.

practically no

Indicates a negligible amount or effect, providing a similar meaning to "hardly of".

rarely of

Focuses on the infrequency of something, offering a slightly different perspective.

seldom of

Similar to "rarely of", emphasizing the uncommon occurrence of something.

little of

Indicates a small quantity or degree, offering a more concise alternative.

only just of

Indicates that something is achieved with minimal effort or resources, implying difficulty.

difficult of

Highlights the challenging nature of something, shifting the focus from quantity to effort.

FAQs

Is "hardly of" grammatically correct?

While "hardly of" is sometimes used, it is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's advisable to use alternatives like "scarcely of" or "barely of" for better clarity and correctness.

What does "hardly of" mean?

"Hardly of" suggests a minimal amount or degree of something. However, it's not a standard or widely accepted phrase. Using alternatives like "almost no" or rephrasing the sentence can improve clarity.

What can I say instead of "hardly of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "scarcely of", "barely of", "almost no", or "virtually no". Consider the intended meaning to choose the most appropriate alternative.

How can I avoid using "hardly of" in my writing?

Try rephrasing the sentence to use more direct and accepted expressions. For example, instead of "It is hardly of any importance", you could say "It is scarcely important" or "It has almost no importance."