What is hardly? Pronunciation and usage in English

hardly means . Learn how to pronounce and use hardly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of hardly

hardlyadverb

/ˈhɑːdli/
Definition & pronunciation of hardly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "hardly." It’s a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • ˈhɑːr.dli (This is the closest phonetic representation - using the International Phonetic Alphabet)

2. Breakdown & Explanation:

  • ˈhɑːr – This part is similar to "har" in "heart". The 'h' is silent. The ‘a’ is a broad, open ‘ah’ sound like in “father.”
  • dli – This is the tricky part.
    • d – Pronounced as a standard English "d."
    • li – This sounds like “lee”. It’s a short, unstressed “ee” sound.

3. Putting it Together - How to Say it:

Imagine saying "har" (like in heart), then quickly adding “dlee” – almost like a single, connected syllable. It's not a sharp “d” at the end.

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t over-emphasize the 'd': The ‘d’ in “hardly” is very subtle and almost blends into the “lee” sound.
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable (“har”).
  • Don’t pronounce the ‘l’ distinctly: It’s part of the “li” sound, so don't lengthen it.

5. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it:

  • Google: Search for “how to pronounce hardly” on Google and listen to the audio results.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/hardly/ – Forvo is a website with pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce hardly" on YouTube – you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker or learning the language?
  • Is there anything specific about the pronunciation that you find difficult (e.g., the ‘d’ sound)?

Usage and examples with the word hardly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "hardly" in English. It's a subtly nuanced word, and it can add a lot of precision to your speech and writing. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Basic Meaning: Almost Not

At its core, "hardly" means almost not or barely. It indicates a very slight degree of something. It's weaker than "not at all" or "never."

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • With Verbs (expressing a minimal action or state):

    • "He hardly spoke all day." (He spoke very little.)
    • "She hardly recognized him." (She only vaguely recognized him - she wasn't sure.)
    • "They hardly noticed the rain." (They didn't really pay attention to the rain.)
    • “I hardly understood the instructions.” (I just barely understood them.)

  • With Adjectives (expressing a small amount of something):

    • "He’s hardly a good student." (He's not a particularly good student – he’s just okay.)
    • "It’s hardly believable!" (It's almost unbelievable – it’s questionable.)
    • "She’s hardly ever late." (She’s almost never late - she’s usually on time.)
    • “The room was hardly empty.” (There were only a few people left.)

  • With Adverbs (expressing a slight degree of something):

    • "He hardly agreed with me." (He only partially agreed.)
    • "I hardly knew what to do." (I was uncertain about what to do – it was difficult.)

3. “Hardly” vs. “Scarcely”

This is a very common point of confusion. “Hardly” and “scarcely” are often interchangeable, but there are subtle differences:

  • “Hardly” generally implies a slightly weak state or action. It’s a lighter, more casual usage.

  • “Scarcely” usually indicates a more significant lack or difficulty. It suggests something is almost completely absent.

    • Example: "I hardly saw the car." (I caught a faint glimpse of it.) vs. “I scarcely saw the car.” (I only just managed to see it, it was very difficult and distant.)

4. “Hardly” with “Ever” & “Never”

  • "Hardly ever" means "almost never." It's a common and useful phrase.

    • “He hardly ever goes out.” (He almost never goes out.)

  • "Hardly ever" is stronger than simply "never."

5. Tone and Emphasis

"Hardly" can sometimes carry a slight tone of mild disappointment or understatement. It suggests a small degree of surprise or observation.

Here's a table summarizing the key uses:

Usage Meaning Example
With Verbs Almost not doing "He hardly slept last night."
With Adjectives Almost not being "It's hardly a secret."
With Adverbs Almost not doing “She hardly laughed.”
With "Ever/Never" Almost not happening “He hardly ever eats fast food.”

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., business writing, informal conversation)?
  • Help you practice using "hardly" by giving you sentences to complete?

Synonyms for the word hardly

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