I could hardly speak vs I couldn't hardly speak

The correct phrase is "I could hardly speak." The phrase "I couldn't hardly speak" is not commonly used in English. The correct phrase indicates that speaking was difficult but not impossible.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 9587 views

I could hardly speak

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express that speaking was difficult but not impossible.

Examples:

After the accident, I could hardly speak due to shock.
I could hardly speak when I saw my favorite singer in person.
She could hardly speak because she was so emotional.
He could hardly speak after running a marathon.
They could hardly speak during the intense meeting.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was so tired, I could hardly speak.
Jablonski's wife could hardly speak.
When I first got there, JB could hardly speak.
He could hardly speak, he was so upset.
She was so drunk when she came in, she could hardly speak.
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
I am so ill, I can hardly speak.
Look at me, I hardly speak Russian anymore.
It scares me so that I can hardly speak.
Jack on TV: When I talked to your doctor - First of all, he would hardly speak with me.
He's on so much medication he can hardly speak.
He hardly speaks... and more than his wife, I seem his slave.
And he's so shy with women he hardly speaks to me.
Besides, he hardly speaks French...
You don't like the fact that Tommy and I are friends with Chrissie and Rod, whereas you hardly speak to anyone.
Can hardly speak when he's like that.
Heaven I'm in heaven And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak [Woman] And exhale.
Tall, attractive, hardly speaks a word? - Right.
She hardly speaks to me except to ask for money or poke fun at me because I work for a living.
My mouth is so dry, I can hardly speak

I couldn't hardly speak

This phrase is not commonly used in English and is considered incorrect.

Show examples from the web [+]

Having tried religion, snake-oil and gunfighting unsuccessfully, I took a partner, become a respectable storekeeper, and married Olga, a Swedish girl who couldn't hardly speak no English.
I was so tired, I could hardly speak.
Jablonski's wife could hardly speak.
When I first got there, JB could hardly speak.
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
I am so ill, I can hardly speak.
He could hardly speak, he was so upset.
Look at me, I hardly speak Russian anymore.
It scares me so that I can hardly speak.
Jack on TV: When I talked to your doctor - First of all, he would hardly speak with me.
He's on so much medication he can hardly speak.
He hardly speaks... and more than his wife, I seem his slave.
And he's so shy with women he hardly speaks to me.
Besides, he hardly speaks French...
You don't like the fact that Tommy and I are friends with Chrissie and Rod, whereas you hardly speak to anyone.
Can hardly speak when he's like that.
Heaven I'm in heaven And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak [Woman] And exhale.
Tall, attractive, hardly speaks a word? - Right.
She hardly speaks to me except to ask for money or poke fun at me because I work for a living.
My mouth is so dry, I can hardly speak

Alternatives:

I couldn't speak properly.
I could barely speak.
I could hardly get the words out.
I struggled to speak.
I found it hard to speak.

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I could hardly speak vs I couldn't hardly speak