B1adverb 2K

Hardly

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈhɑːdli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈhɑːrdli/"]/

Meaning of Hardly

almost no; almost not; almost none

In simple words: Barely or almost not at all

Hardly in a sentence

• 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.

How to use Hardly

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.

Related words

Collocations with Hardly

• hardly believe
• hardly realize
• hardly notice
• hardly anyone
• hardly any

Synonyms for Hardly

• barely
• scarcely
• almost not
• few
• rarely

Opposites of Hardly

• completely
• totally
• easily

Common mistakes with Hardly

• 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'.

Frequently asked questions about Hardly

What does Hardly mean?

Barely or almost not at all

What is the definition of Hardly?

almost no; almost not; almost none

How do you use Hardly in a sentence?

I can hardly hear you over the noise.

Can you give another example of Hardly?

She hardly ever goes to the gym.

What are synonyms for Hardly?

Common alternatives include barely, scarcely, almost not, few, rarely.

What is the opposite of Hardly?

Opposite meanings include completely, totally, easily.

What words go with Hardly?

It commonly pairs with hardly believe, hardly realize, hardly notice, hardly anyone, hardly any.

What are common mistakes when using Hardly?

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'.

How do you pronounce Hardly?

US: /["/ˈhɑːrdli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈhɑːdli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Hardly?

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

What CEFR level is Hardly?

"Hardly" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.