hardly works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly works" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is very rarely or barely functioning or producing results. Examples: - "My car hardly works anymore. I need to take it to the mechanic." - "This old computer hardly works. I can barely open any programs." - "The heater in my apartment hardly works. I'm freezing!" - "The clock in the office hardly works. It's always showing the wrong time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

FORGET Mr. Chapman's notoriety, which hardly works in his favor.

The New York Times

Coca-Cola's bottling plant in Eritrea hardly works because the country's totalitarian government makes it impossible to import the needed syrup.

The Economist

Informing them of exactly where the sub went down was a nice thing to do, but it hardly works as a motive for repeatedly risking one's life.

The New York Times - Books

However, letting them off, as the former Home Secretary would point out, hardly works either: the average offender commits 140 crimes in the year before he is caught.

The Guardian - Opinion

This by the way, is without even touching upon the subject of his character which, when all's said and done, hardly works in his favour either.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His presence in Turin is just about tolerated; the Italian papers mutter about his "sospetti muscoli", and, as I've discovered, saying you are writing something about the sprinter hardly works as an access-all-areas pass to the stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Our phones hardly work.

The New York Times

"I can hardly work my cell phone".

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Theirs is the world of the hardly working poor.

The New York Times - Arts

That is scant consolation when the exchanges hardly work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly works" when you want to express that something is only marginally effective or functions very infrequently. Be sure the context implies a struggle or deficiency in performance.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly works" when something is completely broken or non-functional. The phrase implies a minimal level of operation, not a complete absence of it. Use phrases like "doesn't work at all" or "is broken" when that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly works" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state or condition of the subject. It indicates that the subject has minimal or limited functionality, as seen in Ludwig's examples: 'Coca-Cola's bottling plant in Eritrea hardly works because the country's totalitarian government makes it impossible to import the needed syrup'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly works" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is only marginally functional or effective. Ludwig's analysis, drawing from various sources including news media and scientific publications, indicates a neutral register and a primary function as a predicate. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While it's important to use it accurately, conveying the right degree of ineffectiveness, "hardly works" serves as a versatile tool for expressing limited functionality in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely functions

Emphasizes the minimal level of operation, highlighting that something is struggling to work.

scarcely operates

Indicates that something functions very infrequently or with great difficulty.

almost never works

Highlights the infrequency of successful operation.

rarely succeeds

Focuses on the lack of successful outcomes when something is attempted.

seldom functions

Similar to 'rarely succeeds', emphasizing the infrequent nature of its functionality.

practically useless

Suggests that something is so ineffective that it's nearly without value.

offers minimal utility

Highlights the limited usefulness or benefit derived from something.

provides little effect

Indicates that something produces very few noticeable results.

shows limited effectiveness

Focuses on the restricted capability of something to achieve its intended purpose.

is virtually non-functional

Emphasizes that something is, for all practical purposes, not working.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly works" to describe something that is barely functioning or producing results, such as, "The old machine "hardly works" anymore".

What phrases are similar to "hardly works"?

Similar phrases include "barely functions", "scarcely operates", or "almost never works", all indicating a low level of functionality.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly works" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly works" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific tone of your writing should guide your word choice. In some formal contexts, alternatives like "shows limited effectiveness" might be preferable.

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

"Hardly works" implies a minimal level of functionality, while "doesn't work" indicates a complete lack of functionality. For example, a broken television "doesn't work" at all, but an old one might "hardly work", showing a picture with many issues.