hardly workable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly workable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a plan, idea, or solution that is difficult to implement or not practical. Example: "The proposed budget cuts are hardly workable, as they would severely impact our ability to deliver services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

How might one balance this with the desire to restrict access, even though this will hardly be workable for the most determined reader?

The Economist

(This hardly seems a workable civic model).

The New York Times

"It's just not workable".

The New York Times

When the European Coal and Steel Community was founded in 1951 as the germ of what would become the EU, one minister said that "even if desirable, such a scheme could hardly prove to be workable".

The Guardian

Hence, for Astana, closer ties with the bloc may hardly serve as a workable counterbalance against Moscow, especially considering that in 2014, the bloc failed to protect even Ukraine, a country whose ties with the EU are far closer than those of Kazakhstan.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Showing that the defendant acted dishonestly by misusing access to confidential information is going to occur in virtually every case, so that hardly seems to be a workable basis to distinguish between those cases that deserve criminal prosecution and ones handled in only a civil proceeding.

The New York Times

Everything could be workable Buchenwald and Dachau were workable, but they were hardly desirable.

The Guardian

That might be an extreme reaction from Charlotte ownership, two months is hardly enough time to evaluate whether this is a workable basketball marriage, but it's not shocking that the team is already feeling buyer's remorse.

The Guardian - Sport

It is hardly surprising that Lord Bridges, who has been finding it increasingly frustrating trying to find a workable approach to Brexit for the government, has resigned from the Department for Exiting from the European Union in apparent disgust.

The Guardian - Business

You could hardly play this live, so you had to make tapes of the sorts of electronic sounds you were producing to make a workable piece of music.

Cornell University

Is "liquid democracy" workable?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly workable", ensure the context clearly indicates what is impractical or difficult to implement. Providing a brief explanation of the challenges can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly workable" when something is entirely impossible. The phrase implies a significant challenge, not a complete barrier. If something is utterly unfeasible, use stronger language such as "impossible" or "unachievable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly workable" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying an adjective, indicating a low degree of feasibility or practicality. As Ludwig AI highlights, it implies something is difficult to implement or not entirely practical.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly workable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating something is not easily or practically implemented. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is relatively low, appearing mostly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the impractical aspects and consider alternatives like "barely feasible" or "scarcely practical" for varied expression. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers, making it versatile for different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely feasible

Emphasizes the slight possibility of being achieved or implemented, focusing on feasibility.

scarcely practical

Highlights the lack of practicality or usefulness in a given situation.

not really viable

Indicates a lack of sustainability or likelihood of success.

almost impossible

Stresses the extreme difficulty, nearing impossibility, of achieving something.

unlikely to succeed

Focuses on the low probability of a positive outcome or achievement.

not easily implemented

Highlights the difficulties encountered when trying to put something into effect.

difficult to achieve

Stresses the challenges involved in reaching a particular goal or outcome.

of limited utility

Indicates that something has restricted usefulness or value.

unpromising

Implies that something does not show signs of future success or positive outcomes.

not very practical

Emphasizes a lack of practicality, suggesting an idea is theoretical rather than effective.

FAQs

What does "hardly workable" mean?

The phrase "hardly workable" means something is unlikely to be successful or practical. It suggests that while not entirely impossible, the plan or idea is fraught with difficulties and may not be a "viable option".

When is it appropriate to use "hardly workable"?

Use "hardly workable" when you want to express that a plan or solution is difficult to implement or likely to fail due to significant obstacles. It's suitable when the situation isn't completely hopeless but faces substantial challenges. Alternatives include "barely feasible" or "scarcely practical".

What are some alternatives to "hardly workable"?

Alternatives include "not really viable", "unlikely to succeed", or "difficult to achieve". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difficulty you wish to convey.

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

You can say, "The proposed budget cuts are "hardly workable", as they would severely impact our ability to deliver services," or "His plan to revolutionize the industry overnight is "hardly workable" given the current market conditions."