hardly tolerate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly tolerate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a very low level of tolerance or acceptance towards something or someone. Example: "I can hardly tolerate the noise coming from the construction site next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He hated the memory of it and would hardly tolerate the mention of it.

The New Yorker

Cameron, some will argue, is too cuddly and consensual to foment anything similar; and anyway, the post-Blair Labour party would hardly tolerate town hall firebrands enacting fantasies of red resistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Paediatric neuromuscular diseases represent a diagnostic challenge often requiring invasive investigations hardly tolerate by children.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Périer may have exaggerated the other-worldly attitude of his late brother-in-law, when he wrote that, for more than ten years before his death, Pascal was aware of "the vanity and nothingness of all these types of knowledge, and that he had acquired such disgust for them that he could hardly tolerate intelligent people devoting their time to them and speaking seriously about them" (I, 459).

SEP

"We can hardly tolerate qualities in others that we don't like about ourselves.

Huffington Post

The buzz exposes China's selective and self-serving approach to history: the censors allow "Back to 1942" but hardly tolerate any account of the largely manmade Great Famine that took place under Mao in 1958-62 and left tens of millions dead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Hotels that hardly tolerated children in the past are finding more ways to delight this newest group of discriminating travelers while their parents attend meetings.

The New York Times

Hardly tolerated by hard-nosed Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Harrison, a tough guy with a serious attitude.

Huffington Post

Although Hentoff has always considered himself to be a liberal, his pro-life position is hardly tolerated by fellow left-wingers.

Huffington Post

However, this is hardly tolerated by some patients.

BioMed Research International

The vibrations and noises can sometimes reach such a high level that can hardly be tolerated by the neighboring residents especially in densely populated urban environments.

Computers and Geotechnics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly tolerate", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the low tolerance. Providing context enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly tolerate" when you mean complete intolerance. The phrase implies some level of endurance, albeit minimal. For complete intolerance, use "cannot tolerate" or "refuse to tolerate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly tolerate" functions as a verb phrase indicating a limited or minimal ability to accept or endure something. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and used to express a very low level of tolerance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly tolerate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a minimal level of acceptance or endurance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While not as frequent as alternatives like "cannot tolerate", it offers a nuanced way to express weak acceptance. When using "hardly tolerate", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the low tolerance and avoid using it when complete intolerance is meant. This phrase is particularly common in news and scientific sources. Remember to use related phrases to enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely endure

Emphasizes the difficulty in enduring something, implying a struggle.

scarcely accept

Highlights the minimal acceptance of something, suggesting reluctance.

narrowly accept

Indicates acceptance is only possible within very tight restrictions.

just about bear

Suggests the limit of one's ability to bear or tolerate something.

only just tolerate

Emphasizes the narrow margin by which something is tolerated.

find unacceptable

Directly expresses the lack of acceptance, opposite of tolerate.

cannot stomach

Uses a visceral metaphor to express strong dislike and intolerance.

refuse to suffer

Highlights a proactive rejection of something unpleasant.

grudgingly tolerate

Implies tolerance is given with resentment or unwillingness.

poorly handle

Focuses on the inability to manage or deal with something effectively.

FAQs

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

"Hardly tolerate" is used to express a minimal level of acceptance or endurance. For example, "I can "hardly tolerate" the noise from the construction site" indicates a very low level of tolerance for the noise.

What are some alternatives to "hardly tolerate"?

Alternatives include "barely endure", "scarcely accept", or "just about bear", each conveying a slightly different nuance of limited acceptance or endurance.

Is it correct to say "I can't hardly tolerate"?

No, "I can't hardly tolerate" is a double negative and grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I can "hardly tolerate"" or "I cannot tolerate".

What is the difference between "hardly tolerate" and "cannot tolerate"?

"Hardly tolerate" implies a minimal level of endurance or acceptance, while "cannot tolerate" indicates complete intolerance. "I can "hardly tolerate" spicy food" suggests a very low tolerance, whereas "I cannot tolerate spicy food" means there is no tolerance at all.