hardly usable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly usable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to use or not very functional. Example: "The software update made the application hardly usable, causing frequent crashes and errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

These lanes were hardly usable!

The New York Times

This hardly usable product, known as a bloom, may have weighed up to 10 lbs (5 kg).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This product, later known as bloom, was hardly usable as it stood, but repeated reheating and hot hammering eliminated much of the slag, creating wrought iron, a much better product.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, the organic material is characteristic for wetlands, but hardly usable as substrate for microbes and may retard sulfate reduction and pH neutralisation of re-submerged sulfuric material.

Geoderma

Right out of the box, UltraFine 5K Display was hardly usable as it would consistently disconnect and even freeze my MacBook Pro which made it unusable for work on Thursday and Friday.

TechCrunch

However, the various disconnected HTML, XML- and SOAP-based APIs are complex and hardly usable by chemists who are capable of writing minor scripting solutions, but do not intend to spend a long time to become experts in the intricacies and limitations of the various access methods.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The problem, though, is that with Kostas Mitroglu still injured – what a disastrous signing he has been – there are hardly any usable forwards.

Independent

Due to their hardly strategically usable and non-politicized nature, disaster management regimes may be seen as truly humanitarian instruments conducing collective action by means of cooperation.

European Journal of Futures Research

It's just not usable.

Huffington Post

The power limit of class 3R lasers, usable in clinics hardly without necessity to implement operating precautions, is set at 5 mW for continuous lasers in the visible range.

Biomedical Optics Express

3. Usable reading lights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly usable" when the main issue is not complete lack of functionality, but rather a severely reduced level of usability.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly usable" when something is completely broken or non-functional. Instead, opt for phrases like "completely unusable" or "non-operational" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly usable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its limited functionality. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests that something is difficult to use or not very functional. This usage aligns with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly usable" is a grammatically sound and neutral expression used to describe something with limited functionality, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. While not very frequent, it effectively conveys a critical assessment of usability, suggesting significant limitations. For alternatives, consider phrases like "barely functional" or "not very practical" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to use it when describing something completely non-functional; in such cases, "unusable" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely functional

Emphasizes the minimal level of functionality, suggesting it's almost non-operational.

not very practical

Focuses on the lack of practicality, highlighting issues with real-world application.

scarcely serviceable

Indicates a limited capacity to provide service or perform its intended function.

almost unusable

Highlights that the item or system is nearing a state where it cannot be used at all.

virtually non-operational

Stresses that the subject is, for all intents and purposes, not working.

of limited utility

Points out the restricted usefulness or value of something.

impractical to use

Emphasizes the challenges and difficulties encountered when attempting to use something.

not fit for purpose

Indicates that the item does not meet the requirements for its intended task.

difficult to utilize

Focuses on the challenges of effectively using something.

largely ineffective

Highlights that the item or method is not producing the desired results.

FAQs

What does "hardly usable" mean?

The phrase "hardly usable" means something is difficult to use or not very functional. It implies that while the item or system might technically be operational, its usability is severely limited.

What can I say instead of "hardly usable"?

You can use alternatives like "barely functional", "not very practical", or "scarcely serviceable" depending on the context.

Is "hardly usable" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hardly usable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe something with limited usability.

What is the difference between "hardly usable" and "unusable"?

"Hardly usable" implies something is difficult to use but not completely impossible, while "unusable" means something cannot be used at all.