it hardly matters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it hardly matters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is not important, or does not make much of a difference. For example: "I'm not sure which shirt to wear, but it hardly matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oedipal conflicts?—it hardly matters.

The New Yorker

But it hardly matters.

The New York Times

It hardly matters.

The New York Times - Books

It hardly matters to him.

The New Yorker

It hardly matters, though.

The New York Times

It hardly matters now.

The New Yorker

Well, it hardly matters.

The Guardian

Though it hardly matters now.

The Guardian - Sport

By now it hardly matters".

The Guardian - Arts

It hardly matters what now.

The New York Times - Books

In the long run, it hardly matters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it hardly matters" to downplay the importance of a detail that might seem significant but ultimately has little bearing on the overall outcome or discussion. This can help maintain focus on the core issue.

Common error

Avoid using "it hardly matters" excessively, as it can come across as dismissive or indifferent. Make sure the context justifies downplaying the significance of the point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it hardly matters" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, expressing a low degree of importance or relevance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it hardly matters" is a versatile expression used to minimize the importance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in various contexts, particularly within news and media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context appropriately warrants the downplaying of the detail, and avoid overuse to prevent appearing dismissive. Consider alternatives like "it's insignificant" or "it makes little difference" to add variety to your writing. The phrase functions as an adverbial phrase, expressing a low degree of importance or relevance in the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's of little importance

Emphasizes the lack of significance or relevance.

it's not a big deal

Conveys that something is not problematic or worth worrying about.

it's insignificant

Highlights the negligible impact or effect of something.

it's not important

Directly states the lack of importance of something.

it makes little difference

Indicates that something has minimal impact or influence.

it's not consequential

Suggests the lack of significant outcomes or repercussions.

it's beside the point

Indicates that something is irrelevant to the current discussion or situation.

it's immaterial

Highlights the irrelevance or unimportance of something, especially in a legal or formal context.

it's inconsequential

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact of something.

it's neither here nor there

Indicates that something is irrelevant and doesn't affect the situation.

FAQs

What does "it hardly matters" mean?

The phrase "it hardly matters" means that something is of little importance or consequence. It suggests that the thing being referred to is not worth worrying about or considering seriously.

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

You can use "it hardly matters" to downplay the importance of a detail. For example, "I'm not sure which color to paint the room, but "it hardly matters" since we're moving soon anyway."

What are some alternatives to "it hardly matters"?

Some alternatives to "it hardly matters" include "it makes little difference", "it's not important", or "it's insignificant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it hardly matters" formal or informal?

"It hardly matters" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in everyday conversation or writing.