Cool MateFew vs Hardly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Few
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
Hardly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: Few
| Few | Hardly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhɑːdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɑːrdli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not many; a small number. | Barely or almost not at all |
| Example | We've had a few replies. | I can hardly hear you over the noise. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | few people, few options, few hours | hardly believe, hardly realize, hardly notice, hardly anyone, hardly any |
| Antonyms | many, lots | completely, totally, easily |
| Common mistakes | 'Few' vs 'a few' confusion: 'few' means not many, while 'a few' is a positive way to say some., Using 'few' with uncountable nouns: 'few' only works with countable nouns., Misplacing 'few' in a sentence: ensure it's used before the noun it describes. | 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'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'few' when referring to countable nouns. It implies a lesser amount than expected. 'Few' is often used in negative contexts, while 'a few' has a more positive connotation. | Used to express that something is true to a very small degree. Avoid in very formal writing. Suitable in conversational contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Few vs Hardly
What's the difference between Few and Hardly?
Few: Not many; a small number. Hardly: Barely or almost not at all
Which is more common: Few and Hardly?
Few is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Few and Hardly?
Hardly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Few and Hardly the same CEFR level?
Few: A1, Hardly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Few: We've had a few replies. Hardly: I can hardly hear you over the noise.
Can I use Few and Hardly interchangeably?
Not always. Few and Hardly 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.