hardly weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not weak at all, often emphasizing strength or resilience in a somewhat ironic or contrasting manner. Example: "Despite the challenges, her resolve was hardly weak; she faced every obstacle with determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were the least naïve people imaginable and they were hardly weak.

The New Yorker

Demand for flights to and from South Africa, though, is hardly weak.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Here's what I think is going on: cinephiles who are devoted to the great works of classic Hollywood, and who have an ongoing auteurist fascination with the films of today's Hollywood, have developed a fealty to Hollywood's styles — its gloss, precision, and dramatic concentration — that is hardly weaker than that of mass audiences.

The New Yorker

Though there is hardly a weak link in this section, the two seeds should both be able to advance through to the third round.

The New York Times

Although most analysts reckon that GDP growth slowed from its 4% pace to closer to 3.5% during the last three months of 2004 (the first official estimates are released on January 28th), that hardly looks weak.While the economy is clearly working off its slack, inflation is still low enough to cause few palpitations.

The Economist

And Navy is hardly the weakest opponent on the Wolfpack's nonconference schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

While the intellectual underpinnings of this conceit could hardly be weaker, there has until now been some strategic sense behind it.

The Guardian

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, hardly a weak-kneed liberal on judicial matters, cast the sole Republican vote for her in the Judiciary Committee.

The New York Times

Consumer spending remains weak, hardly a surprise given job insecurity and austerity programmes.

The Guardian - Business

A back line of George Ford, Tuilagi, Joseph, Brown, Anthony Watson and Jonny May or Jack Nowell on the left wing would ripple with attacking options and hardly be defensively weak.

The Guardian - Sport

White Fang learns "to obey the strong and to oppress the weak" — hardly an ideal of socialism — and, while Buck does join a wolf pack by the end of the book, he also learns how to acclimate himself to work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly weak" when you want to subtly emphasize the strength of something by first negating its weakness, creating a contrast that draws attention to its actual resilience.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly weak" too frequently in your writing, as it can become predictable and lose its impact. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly weak" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It serves to qualify the degree of weakness, suggesting its virtual absence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly weak" is a grammatically correct expression used to subtly emphasize strength by negating its opposite. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. It is best used when you want to highlight resilience or strength through understatement. Alternatives like "far from weak" or "anything but weak" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far from weak

Emphasizes the opposite of weak, suggesting considerable strength.

not at all weak

Directly negates weakness, implying a level of strength.

anything but weak

Highlights that weakness is the last characteristic applicable.

certainly not weak

Asserts with confidence that weakness is not present.

by no means weak

Formally denies any presence of weakness.

decidedly strong

Shifts focus from the absence of weakness to the presence of strength.

robust indeed

Highlights resilience and vigor instead of just negating weakness.

remarkably resilient

Focuses on the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

significantly potent

Highlights a powerful effect or influence, moving away from simple strength.

powerfully vigorous

Emphasizes active strength and energy.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly weak" to describe something that, despite initial appearances or challenges, is actually quite strong or resilient. For example, "Despite the setbacks, their determination was "hardly weak"."

What are some alternatives to saying "hardly weak"?

Some alternatives include "far from weak", "not at all weak", or "anything but weak". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it more effective to say "hardly weak" or "very strong"?

The choice depends on the desired effect. "Very strong" is a direct statement of strength. "Hardly weak" implies there might be a perception of weakness that is incorrect, thus emphasizing the actual strength through contrast.

Can "hardly weak" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly weak" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. However, consider your audience and the overall tone to ensure it fits appropriately.