was hardly used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was hardly used" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was rarely used, or used far less than it should have been. For example: Despite the financial benefits, the company's budgeting software was hardly used.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It has been closed for several months because it was hardly used.

The Economist

Suárez trained separately from his team-mates, executing soft shots and easy passes with his right leg – his left was hardly used – as three members of the training staff looked on.

The Guardian - Sport

Because of these problems, the abrasive film was hardly used for finishing.

Earth, Planets and Space

The council said that the seating was hardly used and is in very good condition.

BBC

"Mediation was hardly used in those days," she told me in an interview at at a Kreuzberg restaurant in May 2013.

Huffington Post

Only a few days ago, the Daily Mail complained that authorities weren't doing enough to combat this all-pervasive Asian menace: "Educational video warning of Asian grooming gangs was made for schools seven years ago but was hardly used amid fears of appearing racist," they spluttered.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), useful tools to assess bedside manners and student-patient communication, were hardly used: only one respondent incorporated LGBT aspects into an OSCE.

BMC Medical Education

She confesses that it's hardly used.

The New York Times

As a result, it is hardly used in the summer months.

The Guardian

So is coriander seed, oddly, a spice that is hardly used in Mexican cooking.

The New York Times - Food

To see him with it is startling at first; they're hardly used any more.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was hardly used", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is and why its lack of use is significant. For example, "The emergency exit was hardly used, which led to a build-up of debris and a potential safety hazard."

Common error

Avoid overstating the infrequency. "Was hardly used" implies occasional use, not complete disuse. For complete disuse, consider phrases like "was never used" or "remained unused".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was hardly used" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject received the action of being used, but to a very limited extent. Ludwig AI confirms this with several examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was hardly used" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed construction to express that something was available or intended for use but saw limited application. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase appears in various contexts, notably in news and media and science. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the slight nuance it carries, suggesting potential or expected use that did not materialize. Consider alternative phrases such as "was rarely employed" or "remained largely unapplied" for more formal or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was almost never used

Replaces "hardly" with "almost never", intensifying the sense of infrequent use.

was barely made use of

Emphasizes the minimal extent to which something was used.

was rarely employed

Replaces "used" with "employed" and "hardly" with "rarely", suggesting infrequent utilization in a more formal tone.

went mostly unused

Highlights that something was available for use but was generally not used.

was infrequently utilized

Substitutes "used" with "utilized" and "hardly" with "infrequently", conveying a similar meaning with a slightly more formal and technical tone.

was seldom put to use

Expresses the idea of infrequent use by emphasizing the act of putting something into service.

saw little application

Replaces "was hardly used" with a phrase that emphasizes the lack of practical application.

was scarcely leveraged

Uses "leveraged" instead of "used" and "scarcely" instead of "hardly", implying that potential benefits were missed due to the lack of usage.

remained largely unapplied

Indicates that something that could have been applied or implemented was not, remaining mostly unused.

was minimally exploited

Suggests that something was used less than it could have been, especially for potential gain.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was hardly used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "was rarely employed" or "was infrequently utilized". These options add a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "was hardly used" and "was rarely used"?

While both phrases indicate infrequent use, "was hardly used" suggests the item or method had the potential to be used more, whereas "was rarely used" simply states that it didn't happen often. The difference is subtle but can affect the nuance of your writing.

Is "was hardly used" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was hardly used" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows the standard past tense passive voice construction.

What are some alternative phrases for "was hardly used" in technical writing?

In technical writing, consider using phrases like "saw little application" or "remained largely unapplied". These options are precise and suitable for technical contexts.