is hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

"is hardly" is correct and is often used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is difficult or unlikely to happen. Example: "She is hardly ever late for work, but today she was stuck in traffic and arrived 20 minutes late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monson is hardly alone.

The New York Times

Yebes is hardly unique.

The New York Times

That is hardly revolutionary.

The Economist

Michelle is hardly alone.

The New York Times

That is hardly failing.

The New York Times - Sports

He is hardly alone.

The New York Times

This is hardly pandering.

The New York Times

Hastings is hardly alone.

The New York Times

Survival is hardly assured.

The New Yorker

She is hardly alone.

The New York Times - Sports

That is hardly surprising.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adjectives like "surprising", "alone", or "new" to create strong, idiomatic sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "is hardly" with other negative words such as "no", "none", or "not" in the same clause. For example, writing "it is hardly not possible" creates a confusing double negative that often conveys the opposite of what is intended. Stick to a single negation for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hardly" functions as a predicative negation where the adverb "hardly" modifies the verb "is" to diminish the force of the following complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it serves to characterize a subject by what it is not, typically to correct a misconception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is hardly" is an essential component of high-quality English writing, serving as a powerful tool for nuanced negation and logical refutation. As shown by Ludwig, it is extremely common in authoritative media, where it is used to emphasize that a condition is either barely met or entirely contrary to expectations. Whether you are writing a business report or a news article, using "is hardly" instead of a simple negative can add a layer of sophistication and precision to your prose. It is most effective when paired with adjectives that highlight a contrast, such as "is hardly alone" or "is hardly surprising". Always remember to avoid double negatives to maintain the phrase's analytical impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is barely

Suggests a state that is only just reached or achieved by a very small margin

is scarcely

Provides a more formal tone to indicate that something is almost not the case

is by no means

An emphatic negation that clearly states something is not the case at all

is far from

Emphasizes the significant distance between the current state and the one being denied

is anything but

Stresses that the subject is the exact opposite of the adjective following the phrase

is not exactly

Commonly used with a touch of irony or understatement to indicate a lack of quality

is not nearly

Compares the subject to a standard and finds it significantly lacking

isn't really

A more conversational and informal way to downplay or negate a statement

is hardly ever

Specifically negates the frequency of an action rather than a state

is seldom

A formal way to negate the frequency or occurrence of a situation

FAQs

How do I use "is hardly" in a sentence?

You can use "is hardly" to indicate that a condition is barely met or to negate a statement with emphasis. For example: "The result is hardly surprising given the lack of preparation."

What can I say instead of "is hardly"?

Depending on your tone, you can use alternatives like "is scarcely", "is far from", or "is by no means" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "is hardly" and "is barely"?

While both mean "almost not", "is barely" often refers to a physical or measurable margin, whereas "is hardly" is frequently used to express a logical refutation or an opinion.

Is "is hardly" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, it is very common in formal contexts such as academic papers and high-end journalism. According to Ludwig AI data, it frequently appears in publications like The New York Times and The Economist.