not hardly

USAGE SUMMARY

"not hardly" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is primarily used to express a strong negation or emphasis on something. It is often used in informal or spoken language, but can also be used in writing, such as in dialogue. Example: "I couldn't believe it when she said she wasn't interested in him. Not hardly! She's been flirting with him all week."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Not hardly.

The New York Times

"Not hardly," says Giff.

The New Yorker

He laughs and says, "Not hardly".

The New Yorker

This may be a verifiable fact, but it hasn't been verified yet — not hardly.

The Washington Post

(the answer is not hardly) What had been an unspoken bond of one generation helping the next generation was shattered by plain old greed.

University of California, Berkeley

Whether it is or not hardly seems to matter – this is a gore-free blood sport of the highest order.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

A beam I couldn't hardly lift.

The New York Times - Books

"I couldn't hardly breathe," he said.

The New York Times

Haven't hardly used them since.

The New Yorker

"He can't hardly breathe," Gary says.

The Washington Post

"You just can't hardly overdo it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If aiming for clarity and avoiding potential criticism, consider using alternatives like "not at all" or "certainly not", especially in formal writing.

Common error

The phrase "not hardly" includes a double negative, which is often considered poor grammar. While sometimes used for emphasis, it can confuse readers. Opt for a single negative construction for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not hardly" functions as an adverbial phrase intended to negate or strongly deny a preceding statement. However, due to the double negative construction, its grammatical correctness is often questioned. Ludwig provides examples where it's used for emphasis, but this usage is debated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "not hardly" is used to express strong negation, it's a double negative and can be considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies its usage across various sources, particularly in news and media, but it's crucial to understand the potential for misinterpretation. For clearer communication, alternatives like "not at all" or "certainly not" are preferable. When writing, it's best to consider your audience and choose the most effective way to convey your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all

Expresses a complete negation, similar to "not hardly" in its denial of something.

certainly not

Emphasizes a strong disagreement or denial.

definitely not

Indicates a firm and absolute negation.

absolutely not

Conveys a very strong and unequivocal denial.

by no means

Offers a formal way to express negation or denial.

not in the slightest

Indicates that something is not true to any degree.

not remotely

Suggests that something is far from being true or possible.

far from it

Emphasizes that the opposite is true or that something is not the case.

not even close

Indicates that something is not near being accurate or true.

no way

An informal expression of strong disagreement or denial.

FAQs

Is "not hardly" grammatically correct?

The phrase "not hardly" is debated. Grammatically, it's a double negative, but it is sometimes used for emphasis, although this usage is often criticized. Consider alternatives for clarity.

What does "not hardly" mean?

It typically means "not at all" or expresses strong negation. However, because of the double negative, its interpretation can be ambiguous, and it is often better to use a clearer alternative.

Which is better, "not hardly" or "not at all"?

Not at all is generally preferred because it avoids the double negative present in "not hardly", making it clearer and grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to saying "not hardly"?

Alternatives include "certainly not", "absolutely not", "not in the slightest", or simply "not at all". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.