we hardly need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we hardly need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not necessary or required, often implying that the situation is already sufficient without it. Example: "In this case, we hardly need to discuss the details further, as everyone is already on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

We hardly need more intelligence on his intentions.

The Washington Post

Well, with defenses like that we hardly need enemies.

The New York Times - Health

We hardly need a reminder of how wasteful the supermarket model is.

Independent

We hardly need explain why we love this fire-haired 68-year-old.

Independent

We hardly need this from our legends and icons of the here and now.

The New York Times - Arts

Margaux, we hardly need to be told, is the better artist.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

We hardly needed another of this kind of store around here".

The New York Times

We hardly needed a doorstop-size book to tell us that.

The New York Times - Books

With those three legs, we hardly needed to plunder classical music.

The Guardian

On Saturday we got Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around the Bend" and Tom Petty's "Free Girl Now" — both so safe and predictable within Ms. Lambert's country-rock area of interest that we hardly needed to hear them — and, as an encore, the Aretha Franklin hit "Do Right Woman".

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps it was because Mario showed us we hardly needed the story.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we hardly need" to politely imply that something is obvious or already understood. This can help to avoid stating the obvious without sounding condescending.

Common error

While "we hardly need" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal writing where more direct and assertive language might be more appropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "it is unnecessary" or "there is no need for."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we hardly need" functions as a modal expression indicating a low degree of necessity. It expresses that something is mostly unnecessary, almost to the point of being redundant. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we hardly need" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is largely unnecessary or redundant. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, most notably in news and media. The phrase serves to politely indicate that something is obvious, avoiding directness and potential condescension. While generally acceptable, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal contexts, opting for more assertive alternatives like "it is unnecessary". When used appropriately, "we hardly need" adds a touch of nuance and politeness to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we don't really need

A simple and direct alternative using "don't".

it's not really needed

A more direct and straightforward way of saying something isn't necessary.

there's little need for

Shifts the focus to the absence of a need, rather than a lack of necessity.

there's no real need for

Strongly asserts the absence of any real necessity.

it's scarcely necessary

Emphasizes the lack of necessity with a slightly more formal tone.

it's almost unnecessary

Highlights how close something is to being completely unnecessary.

it's barely necessary

Suggests a minimal level of necessity, close to being completely unnecessary.

we don't particularly need

Adds a nuance indicating a general lack of enthusiasm for needing something.

it's scarcely required

Uses "required" instead of "needed", indicating a formal necessity.

it's minimally required

Emphasizes that the need is very low.

FAQs

How can I use "we hardly need" in a sentence?

Use "we hardly need" to indicate that something is unnecessary or redundant given the current circumstances. For example: "Given the overwhelming evidence, "we hardly need" further investigation."

What's a more formal alternative to "we hardly need"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is unnecessary to" or "there is no requirement for". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic writing where a more direct approach is preferred.

What is the difference between "we hardly need" and "we don't need"?

"We hardly need" implies that something is somewhat unnecessary or redundant, whereas "we don't need" is a more direct statement that something is not required at all. The former can be more polite or nuanced, while the latter is more assertive.

Is it correct to say "we barely need" instead of "we hardly need"?

While "we barely need" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, "we hardly need" is more common and idiomatic. Consider using "we hardly need" for a more natural-sounding expression.