hardly work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to convey that something is done very little or with great difficulty. Here is an example: "I can hardly work with all the distractions in this office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Work Hard So You Can Hardly Work, is "a guide on how to thrive professionally, get ahead at your job, and basically become the Beyoncé of whatever you aspire to do". The Comedy Central animated television series Betches is in the works with the founders and Emma Roberts serving as executive producers, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Forbes

Our phones hardly work.

The New York Times

"I can hardly work my cell phone".

The New Yorker

That is scant consolation when the exchanges hardly work.

The Economist

"We can hardly work there anymore," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Applejack, also brown, would hardly work in a martini.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

He has hardly worked for the past six years.

The Guardian

Chelsea Through Sept. 18 Working hard, or hardly working?

The New York Times

Are you working hard during exercise — or hardly working?

Harvard University

Theirs is the world of the hardly working poor.

The New York Times - Arts

And a good thing, since the product hardly works.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly work" to express that something or someone is struggling to function or is not working as expected. For example, "The old computer can hardly work with the new software."

Common error

Avoid using "hardly work" when you mean something doesn't work at all. "Hardly" implies a small degree of functionality, not a complete absence of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a limited capacity or ability to perform a task or operate effectively. It suggests that the subject in question experiences significant difficulty in functioning or achieves only minimal results. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a limited or difficult ability to function. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure that you use it to accurately reflect a diminished capacity rather than a complete lack of functionality. Consider alternatives like "barely function" or "struggle to function" to fine-tune the nuance of your expression. The linguistic analysis reveals its neutral register, though its application in specialized fields can lend it a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely function

Focuses on the minimal level of functionality, highlighting a struggle to operate.

struggle to function

Indicates a difficult and labored attempt to work, emphasizing the effort required.

scarcely operate

Emphasizes the infrequency of operation, suggesting a near absence of working activity.

function with difficulty

Focuses on the challenges and obstacles encountered while trying to work.

minimally operate

Suggests operation at the lowest possible level, highlighting the small amount of work being done.

infrequently perform

Highlights the rare occurrence of performing tasks, indicating a lack of regular work.

be barely operational

Highlights the minimal state of being operational, suggesting a fragile and limited ability to work.

operate almost never

Emphasizes the near absence of operational activity, conveying a sense of inactivity.

rarely be effective

Shifts focus to the lack of effectiveness, implying that work done is seldom successful.

fail to perform effectively

Indicates a lack of successful performance, suggesting that work attempts do not yield the desired results.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly work" to indicate that something functions with great difficulty or barely functions at all. For example, "My old phone can "hardly work" after I dropped it in water".

What is a synonym for "hardly work"?

Synonyms for "hardly work" include "barely function", "scarcely operate", or "struggle to function". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "hardly work" and "doesn't work"?

"Hardly work" implies that something is still functioning, but with significant difficulty, while "doesn't work" means it's completely non-functional. It's a matter of degree.

Is it correct to say "can't hardly work"?

No, "can't hardly work" is generally considered a double negative and is incorrect. The correct phrasing is "can "hardly work"".