hardly safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is not safe at all, implying a significant level of danger or risk. Example: "The old bridge is hardly safe for vehicles, as it has not been maintained in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sabqa itself was hardly safe on Friday.

The New York Times

Despite Altidore's goal, the game was hardly safe and secure.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a fragile and rickety village, hardly protective, hardly safe, hardly a haven for people who live there.

The New York Times

Feinberg dug in, insisting that every executive at every other company was going to get the majority of his or her annual salary paid in the company's stock, and that these stocks, too, were hardly safe bets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Narrow alleyways, once home to a few dozen families, now house hundreds of people, clogging the streets with cars and hammering the neighbourhood with the din of construction.Such conditions are hardly safe.

The Economist

In front of the largest announced crowd in Citi Field's four seasons (42,122), the Mets built a 3-0 lead, but against the Yankees' power, it was hardly safe.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The manufacturing process is extremely dangerous and the finished product hardly safer.

The Economist

The far right in Hungary really is anti-Semitic, but in France and the Netherlands these days populists now abjure anti-Semitism, even as they denounce Muslim migrants.Moving to Israel may fulfil a religious, cultural or political longing for some Jews but it is hardly safer.

The Economist

Classes were hardly a safe haven.

The New York Times

In 1997, Brazzaville was hardly a safe destination for antiquing.

The New York Times

Given Campbell's well-documented fondness for histrionics, she's hardly a safe bet.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly safe" to subtly imply a dangerous situation, rather than directly stating it. This adds nuance and can be more impactful, especially in descriptive writing.

Common error

While "hardly safe" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical documents. Opt for more precise language like "unsecured" or "hazardous" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly safe" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing situations that lack safety or security.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly safe" is a grammatically correct way to express that something is not very safe. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's often used in news and media to describe situations with potential risks. While generally acceptable, its nuance makes it more appropriate for descriptive writing and general conversation than technical documentation. Consider alternatives like "barely safe" or "not very safe" for slight variations in meaning. Remember to be mindful of the context to ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely safe

Emphasizes how close something is to being unsafe, suggesting it is only just safe.

not very safe

A straightforward way to express that something lacks safety.

scarcely secure

Highlights the lack of security, suggesting vulnerability.

far from secure

Indicates a significant distance from being a safe or secure state.

not entirely secure

Suggests that while there might be some security measures, they are not complete or reliable.

perilously unsafe

Emphasizes the high level of danger and lack of safety.

by no means secure

A strong statement indicating a complete absence of security.

questionably safe

Raises doubts about the safety of something.

dubiously secure

Similar to "questionably safe", implying skepticism about the level of security.

risky

A more general term indicating the presence of danger or potential harm.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly safe" to describe a situation that is not safe or secure, for example: "The old bridge is "hardly safe" for vehicles."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "hardly safe"?

Alternatives include "barely safe", "not very safe", or "scarcely secure", each providing a slightly different nuance to the lack of safety.

Is there a difference between "hardly safe" and "not safe"?

"Hardly safe" implies a higher degree of risk or insecurity than "not safe". "Not safe" is a general statement, while "hardly safe" suggests the situation is quite dangerous.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "hardly safe"?

It's appropriate in news reports, descriptive writing, and general conversations to convey a nuanced sense of danger. Avoid in highly technical documentation where precise terminology is required.