Cool MateHardly vs Slightly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hardly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Slightly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Hardly | Slightly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhɑːdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɑːrdli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈslaɪtli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈslaɪtli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Barely or almost not at all | A little bit, not much. |
| Example | I can hardly hear you over the noise. | The weather is slightly warmer today compared to yesterday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | hardly believe, hardly realize, hardly notice, hardly anyone, hardly any | slightly different, slightly more, slightly less, slightly warmer, slightly confused |
| Antonyms | completely, totally, easily | greatly, significantly, considerably |
| 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'. | Confused with 'slight' which is an adjective., Using 'slightly' before nouns instead of after verbs or adjectives., Using 'slightly' inappropriately for large changes. |
| Usage notes | Used to express that something is true to a very small degree. Avoid in very formal writing. Suitable in conversational contexts. | Use 'slightly' to show a small degree of change or difference. It fits in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual speech where simpler words like 'a bit' may sound more natural. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hardly vs Slightly
What's the difference between Hardly and Slightly?
Hardly: Barely or almost not at all Slightly: A little bit, not much.
Are Hardly and Slightly the same CEFR level?
Hardly: B1, Slightly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Hardly and Slightly?
Hardly: adverb, Slightly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Hardly: I can hardly hear you over the noise. Slightly: The weather is slightly warmer today compared to yesterday.
Can I use Hardly and Slightly interchangeably?
Not always. Hardly and Slightly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.