B1adverb2K

Hardly

UK /["/ˈhɑːdli/"]/US /["/ˈhɑːrdli/"]/

Definition

almost no; almost not; almost none

In simple words: Barely or almost not at all

Examples

I can hardly hear you over the noise.
She hardly ever goes to the gym.
He hardly understood the instructions given to him.
It was hardly surprising that they won the competition.
They hardly had enough time to finish the project.

Usage notes

Used to express that something is true to a very small degree. Avoid in very formal writing. Suitable in conversational contexts.

Grammar pattern

hardly + verb

Memory hint

Think of 'hardly' as 'hardly any' to remember its meaning of very little.

Collocations

hardly believe
hardly realize
hardly notice
hardly anyone
hardly any

Synonyms

barely
scarcely
almost not
few
rarely

Antonyms

completely
totally
easily

Common mistakes

Confused with 'barely' - both mean similar things but might fit differently in sentences.
Misuse in negative sentences - 'hardly not' is incorrect.
Omitting it in sentences - 'I hardly can understand' should be 'I can hardly understand'.