hardly remarkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly remarkable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not impressive or noteworthy. Example: "The movie was entertaining, but the plot was hardly remarkable, following the same clichés as many others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Germany has not been great, but that is hardly remarkable.

The New York Times - Sports

He knew she was a drinker, he added, but that was hardly remarkable.

The New York Times - Books

Yet, while there is an upward trend, it is hardly remarkable.

The Guardian

Apple's decision to re-record her third album was hardly remarkable; artists tinker with their tracks all the time.

The New Yorker

Wilson seemed easily forgotten or dismissed, his ability framed as a game manager: competent and savvy but hardly remarkable.

The New York Times - Sports

EAST HAMPTON - IN the Hamptons, it's hardly remarkable to encounter a fair amount of strutting, pecking and crowing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

At first it will hardly seem remarkable.

The New York Times - Arts

That contention hardly seems remarkable, given Mendelssohn's astonishing mastery across a range of genres.

The New York Times - Arts

The white paper is, of course, hardly a remarkable document in itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was hardly a remarkable achievement: the banks could fund themselves cheaply as few imagined that a lender backed by local governments could ever default.

The Economist

In a state that spends tens of billions of dollars a year, the $1 million handed out in grants recently by the New York State Health Department hardly seemed remarkable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a review, use "hardly remarkable" to temper praise. For example, "The acting was competent, but the script was hardly remarkable."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "hardly remarkable" excessively in formal or business writing may come across as dismissive or condescending. Opt for more objective language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly remarkable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lack of noteworthiness or distinction. It essentially serves to downplay or qualify the significance of the subject being described, as Ludwig examples indicate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly remarkable" is a commonly used adjectival phrase to express that something is not particularly noteworthy or impressive. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in overly formal settings, where it might come across as dismissive. Alternatives like "hardly spectacular" or "not particularly special" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances. Overall, this phrase offers a useful way to temper enthusiasm and provide a balanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly spectacular

Replaces "remarkable" with "spectacular", suggesting something is not visually impressive or outstanding.

hardly brilliant

Substitutes "remarkable" with "brilliant", implying a lack of exceptional intelligence or skill.

hardly impressive

Replaces "remarkable" with "impressive", conveying a lack of impact or admiration.

barely noteworthy

Uses "barely" to emphasize the lack of noteworthiness, making it clear that something is scarcely deserving of attention.

scarcely significant

Replaces "hardly" with "scarcely" and "remarkable" with "significant", highlighting a lack of importance or consequence.

not particularly special

Emphasizes the absence of uniqueness or exceptional quality.

nothing to write home about

An idiomatic expression indicating something is ordinary and not worth mentioning.

fails to impress

Directly states the lack of a positive impact or impression.

falls short of expectations

Indicates that something did not meet the anticipated standards or hopes.

does not stand out

Highlights the lack of distinction or prominence.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly remarkable" to describe something that is not particularly impressive or noteworthy. For example, "The special effects in the movie were entertaining, but the storyline was "hardly remarkable"".

What's a less formal alternative to "hardly remarkable"?

Less formal alternatives to "hardly remarkable" include "nothing special", "not a big deal", or "pretty ordinary" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "hardly remarkable" in a positive context?

No, "hardly remarkable" is generally used in a neutral or negative context to indicate a lack of exceptional qualities. It's best to avoid using it to describe something you genuinely admire.

What can I say instead of "hardly remarkable"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly spectacular", "hardly impressive", or "not particularly special" depending on the context.