is hardly needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hardly needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not necessary or required in a particular context. Example: "In this situation, the additional explanation is hardly needed, as everyone is already familiar with the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The United States' encouragement is hardly needed.

The New York Times

But a bandstand is hardly needed.

The New York Times

Since the main standardization occurs as a result of training that takes place outside the professional bureaucracy, a technostructure is hardly needed.

Harvard Business Review

A war room is hardly needed to pass judgment on the idea the N.C.A.A. is mulling, to expand its wildly successful basketball tournament to 96 teams.

The New York Times

Although a stability control is a wonderful device -- I think it should be mandatory on truck-based sport utilities, which need all the extra stability they can get -- it is hardly needed on a car as stable as an Outback.

The New York Times

My encomium to a classic is hardly needed, but L'Engle's creation of complex but fantasy-tweaked kids facing fantastic settings and situations that are extravagant but coherent, enriched by a heady blend of science and spirituality, is a spark to imagination that's all the more potent for its introspective, psychological specificity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But it was hardly needed.

Independent

But enticements are hardly needed because the passengers climb off the buses primed to spend.

The New York Times

Douglas, who had 8 points, was hardly needed against the Illini 10-111, 5-4).

The New York Times - Sports

Hunters don't use them, and they are hardly needed in order to defend one's home.

University of California, Berkeley

This was hardly needed: Senator Cruz, with his wife and two cherubic daughters in tow, went down a storm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is hardly needed" to politely suggest that something is unnecessary or redundant, especially when addressing a sensitive topic or avoiding direct criticism.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is hardly needed" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "isn't necessary" or "we don't need it" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hardly needed" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that something is almost unnecessary. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where the need for something is minimal or questionable. The correctness of the phrase is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is hardly needed" conveys that something is almost unnecessary, often used subtly to downplay the importance or requirement of something. According to Ludwig, this grammatically sound phrase finds its place in neutral to formal contexts, across news, academic and scientific domains. While the phrase "is hardly needed" is valid, remember it might sound overly formal in casual conversations and that you can make it even more formal by replacing it with phrases such as "is scarcely necessary" or "is virtually unneeded".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is scarcely necessary

Indicates something is almost not necessary, with a slightly more formal tone.

is barely required

Emphasizes that the requirement is minimal, almost nonexistent.

is not really necessary

A more direct and common way of saying something is not needed.

is virtually unneeded

Highlights that something is, for all practical purposes, not needed.

is of little necessity

A more formal way to express that something is not very important or needed.

is essentially superfluous

Suggests that something is extra and not essential.

is almost redundant

Indicates that something is repetitive and not needed.

is not particularly vital

Implies something is not crucial or essential.

is far from essential

Emphasizes that something is not a necessity.

is quite dispensable

Suggests that something can be easily done without.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is hardly needed" to sound more casual?

For a more casual tone, consider using phrases like "isn't really necessary", "we don't need it", or "it's not essential".

What's the difference between "is hardly needed" and "is not needed"?

"Is hardly needed" implies that something is almost unnecessary, while "is not needed" simply states it's not required. The former can sometimes soften the message.

When is it appropriate to use "is hardly needed" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communication when you want to subtly suggest something is not essential without being too direct.

Are there any synonyms for "is hardly needed" that maintain a formal tone?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "is scarcely necessary", "is virtually unneeded", or "is of little necessity" to maintain a formal tone.