there hardly is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there hardly is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is very rare or almost nonexistent. Example: "In this small town, there hardly is any nightlife to speak of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There hardly is any market".

The New York Times - Arts

There hardly is any long-term follow-up, as it is hindered by the attitude that the responsibility of the physician ends when physical problems are healed.

BMC Health Services Research

Also any osteosynthesis of the fibula are not encountered in the study because there hardly is any discussion about implant removal of fibula osteosynthesis in case of complaints.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For one thing, there hardly are any.

Huffington Post

There's hardly been a whiff of rebellion, however.

The New York Times

And there have hardly been any women collectors".

The Guardian - Film

But there have hardly been any key sessions here.

Independent

There could hardly be a better, more important issue.

The Guardian

Without it, there would hardly be a sound.

The New York Times

There can hardly be anything more worthwhile than that.

The Guardian - Film

In May and October, there's hardly been anyone about, although summer holidays are slightly busier.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there hardly is", ensure the context supports the implication that something might be expected or desired, but is, in fact, scarce.

Common error

Avoid using "there hardly is" when something is completely nonexistent. This phrase implies a very small amount or chance, not absolute absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there hardly is" functions as an existential clause, asserting the limited presence or near absence of something. As supported by Ludwig AI, it indicates a scarcity rather than complete nonexistence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there hardly is" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is rare or almost nonexistent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While appropriate for neutral registers like news and general communication, more formal situations may benefit from alternatives that emphasize scarcity. The phrase appears across multiple contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business domains, suggesting its broad applicability while remaining relatively uncommon in overall frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is scarcely

Replaces "hardly" with "scarcely", providing a slightly more formal alternative to convey rarity.

there is barely

Uses "barely" instead of "hardly", suggesting a minimal existence of something.

there is little

Employs "little" to indicate a small amount or degree of something present.

there is virtually no

Substitutes "hardly" with "virtually no", emphasizing the near absence of something.

there is next to no

Indicates that something is almost completely absent.

there is a scarcity of

Shifts the structure to highlight the scarcity of something.

there is a dearth of

A more formal way to indicate a lack or shortage of something.

there is a paucity of

Similar to "a dearth of", indicating a small quantity or insufficient amount.

it's rare to find

Changes the structure to focus on the rarity of encountering something.

it's uncommon to see

Expresses that something is not frequently observed or experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "there hardly is" in a sentence?

Use "there hardly is" to indicate something is rare or almost nonexistent. For example, "In this small town, "there hardly is" any nightlife".

What are some alternatives to "there hardly is"?

Alternatives include "there is scarcely", "there is barely", or "there is little", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "there hardly is"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something exists in a very small amount or is very rare, but not entirely absent. It suggests a level of scarcity.

Is "there hardly is" formal or informal?

The phrase "there hardly is" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "there is a paucity of" for a more sophisticated tone.