this is hardly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is hardly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express skepticism or doubt about a statement or claim that has been made. Example: "While some may argue that the project was a complete success, this is hardly true given the numerous challenges we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This is hardly true of the Kochs.

The New York Times

Landon Donovan's self-imposed exile from soccer has often been described as unprecedented or unusual, but this is hardly true.

The New York Times - Sports

This is hardly true for another issue of central concern to analytic philosophy of technology, which is the status and the character of artifacts.

SEP

Many people think that the body's "natural clotting remedy" will stop the quick from bleeding, this is hardly true.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At 60, that is hardly true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Casablanca stands for movie romance in great part because it is hardly true to life.

The Guardian - Film

The same is hardly true of the so-called Canterbury scene of the late 60s and early 70s.

The Guardian - Music

And if the McAuliffe letters are not worth a fortune, that is hardly true of the archive, believed to be worth nearly $3 million.

The New York Times

It is hardly true today that, as Max wrote to Marjorie in 1932, "these times are very adverse to advances, and generally speaking, there is no occasion to pay one on a first novel".

The New York Times - Books

The "easily" part is hardly true — Trump's Electoral College victory was secured by just a couple of hundred thousand votes in key states, but Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, and it had been a wringer of a campaign.

The New Yorker

Yet if the instruments are mostly unplugged, that's hardly true of Acoustic Long Island as a whole.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is hardly true" to politely express disagreement or skepticism without being overly confrontational. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "this is hardly true" when you want to express complete disagreement. The phrase implies that there might be a small element of truth, making it unsuitable for flat-out contradictions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is hardly true" functions as a qualifying statement or hedge. It expresses disagreement or doubt, but in a less direct or confrontational manner than a flat denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that a preceding statement isn't entirely accurate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is hardly true" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express skepticism or mild disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While not a complete contradiction, it implies that a previous statement is questionable or not entirely accurate. Its neutral register and common usage in news media, science, and online content make it a versatile tool for expressing nuanced opinions. When writing, remember that alternatives like "that's not entirely accurate" or "that's questionable" might be more appropriate depending on the context and desired level of directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's not really true

Replaces "hardly" with "not really" for a slightly softer negation.

that's not entirely accurate

Shifts the focus to accuracy rather than truth, implying a partial falsehood.

that's far from the truth

Emphasizes a greater distance from reality compared to the original statement.

that's a stretch

Indicates that the original statement is an exaggeration or misrepresentation.

that's simply not the case

Directly contradicts the original statement, asserting its falsity.

that's questionable

Suggests that the truth of the statement is uncertain or debatable.

that's open to debate

Highlights the controversial nature of the statement, implying disagreement.

that's not quite right

Offers a polite and indirect way to express disagreement.

that's a bit of an overstatement

Suggests the original statement is exaggerated.

there's little truth to that

Indicates that the statement contains minimal factual basis.

FAQs

What does "this is hardly true" mean?

It means that something is unlikely to be completely true, or that it's mostly false with a small element of truth. It expresses a degree of skepticism or polite disagreement.

When is it appropriate to use "this is hardly true"?

It's appropriate when you want to express doubt or mild disagreement without being overly confrontational. It's suitable in both formal and informal situations.

What are some alternatives to "this is hardly true"?

You can use alternatives like "that's not entirely accurate", "that's questionable", or "that's far from the truth" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "this is hardly true" and "this is not true"?

Yes, "this is hardly true" implies a smaller degree of falsehood compared to "this is not true". The latter is a direct contradiction, while the former suggests partial inaccuracy.