scarcely vs hardly

Both 'scarcely' and 'hardly' are adverbs that are used to indicate that something is almost not happening or is almost not true. They are often used interchangeably in sentences. The choice between them depends on personal preference or the specific context of the sentence.

Last updated: June 21, 2024 • 134 views

scarcely

The word 'scarcely' is a correct adverb used to indicate that something is almost not happening or is almost not true.

It is often used in sentences to convey a sense of rarity or near absence of something.

Examples:

She could scarcely believe her eyes.
There was scarcely any food left in the fridge.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was scarcely twelve years old when I was abandoned by my protectors.
Some of them can scarcely do more than toddle.
Information about his life is scarcely traceable.
I think he scarcely knows himself.
And during the conversation You scarcely said a word.
There are scarcely any horses left.
And I've scarcely seen you all week.
We scarcely have time for our essential tasks.
He can shoot arrows, his feet scarcely make imprints on the snow...
A slight curvature of the right leg but scarcely visible.
I can scarcely recall the sound of his voice.
The sun scarcely ever shines here.
I only got here just recently and scarcely have had time to learn.
He had scarcely returned to Bologna when a fatal illness attacked him.
I scarcely knew the terrain around Lallybroch.
Horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine.
There is scarcely any scrutiny of their activities or operation.
The agreement will scarcely influence their decision.
This can scarcely be called particularly democratic.
Stephano is a player who scarcely needs introducing.

Alternatives:

barely
almost not
hardly
rarely
seldom

hardly

The word 'hardly' is a correct adverb used to indicate that something is almost not happening or is almost not true.

It is often used in sentences to convey a sense of difficulty or near impossibility of something.

Examples:

He could hardly contain his excitement.
There was hardly any time left to finish the project.

Show examples from the web [+]

5 days ago ... Kids Definition ; 1 · in a severe or harsh manner. deal hardly with them ; 2 · with difficulty. a hardly won victory ; 3 · only just : barely, ...
Jun 12, 2024 ... hardly adverb (ONLY JUST) ... only just; almost not: can hardly I could hardly hear her at the back. The party had hardly started when she left.
Apr 16, 2016 ... The question I ask myself is; am I thinking hard, or hardly thinking? In the case of He-man, I think its clear that I am hardly thinking.

Alternatives:

barely
almost not
scarcely
rarely
seldom

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