it hardly helps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it hardly helps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not very beneficial or effective in a given situation. Example: "I tried to explain the concept to him, but it hardly helps when he doesn't pay attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But it hardly helps win souls.

The Economist

It hardly helps that the restaurant has received mixed reviews.

The New York Times

It hardly helps that New Hampshire has only one insurance provider.

The Economist

It hardly helps that Mr Mahbubani can be sloppy with facts.

The Economist

It hardly helps when Linda persuades him to buy a dark suit so he can wear it to funerals.

The New York Times - Books

It hardly helps, either, that he is now a spokesman for the oil industry.In this section Dead or alive?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It hardly helped when her nephew, the actor Nigel Havers, came out publicly in her support.

The Guardian - Opinion

It hardly helped matters that Bryan Thomas, the steady linebacker, was lost for the season with an Achilles' tendon injury.

The New York Times - Sports

In the circumstances, it hardly helped that this week Japan and America started "Operation Keen Sword", a regular naval drill involving 34,000 Japanese and 10,000 Americans in waters near the disputed islands.

The Economist

Added to this, it hardly helped that Shaye was a volatile figure at the best of times, frequently clashing with his directors.

Independent

It hardly helped Carver's cause that the Tyneside injury crisis had forced him to relocate Jack Colback from his customary midfield to left-back.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it hardly helps" to downplay the effectiveness of an action or situation, creating a nuanced critique rather than a strong condemnation. For example, instead of saying "That's useless," you could say, "That hardly helps matters."

Common error

While "it hardly helps" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and impactful language to convey nuanced meanings. Alternatives like "it offers little assistance" or "it provides minimal support" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

It hardly helps functions as a comment clause, typically expressing that something offers little to no assistance or improvement to a given situation. Ludwig confirms this by providing examples where the phrase is used to downplay the positive impact of an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it hardly helps" is a versatile phrase used to express that something offers minimal assistance or improvement. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in various settings, it should be used judiciously in highly formal writing. Consider using alternatives like ""it offers little assistance"" or ""it barely assists"" for greater precision. Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective communication in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it barely assists

Replaces 'hardly helps' with 'barely assists', indicating a minimal level of aid.

it offers little assistance

Substitutes the phrase with a more formal expression indicating a small amount of help.

it doesn't really contribute

Replaces the original phrase with a more direct statement of lack of contribution.

it's of little use

Uses a different structure to convey the idea of something being not very helpful.

it barely makes a difference

Focuses on the lack of impact or effect rather than direct assistance.

it's practically useless

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness of something, suggesting it's almost without value.

it's hardly effective

Highlights the lack of effectiveness, rather than direct assistance.

it provides minimal support

Similar to 'offers little assistance' but uses 'support' instead of 'assistance'.

it does little to improve

Shifts the focus to the lack of improvement caused by something.

it's not very beneficial

States directly that something does not provide much benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "it hardly helps" in a sentence?

You can use "it hardly helps" to express that something does little to improve a situation. For instance, "Trying to reason with him "it hardly helps" when he's already made up his mind."

What are some alternatives to "it hardly helps"?

Alternatives include "it offers little assistance", "it barely assists", or "it doesn't really contribute". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it hardly helps" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it hardly helps" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules, with "it" as the subject, "hardly" as an adverb modifying the verb "helps".

When is it best to use "it hardly helps" versus "it doesn't help at all"?

"It hardly helps" suggests a minor or negligible positive impact, while "it doesn't help at all" indicates complete ineffectiveness. Use ""it hardly helps"" when something has a slight, almost imperceptible effect and "it doesn't help at all" when there is no benefit whatsoever.