Search results
Hardly ever, rarely, scarcely, seldom - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
- Polski
Hardly ever, rarely, scarcely, seldom - English Grammar...
- English (US)
Hardly ever, rarely, scarcely, seldom - English Grammar...
- English Grammar Today
Hardly ever, rarely, scarcely, seldom — English Grammar...
- Scarcely
SCARCELY definition: 1. almost not: 2. used to say that...
- Polski
Definition. Both "barely" and "hardly" are adverbs that are used to indicate a small degree or amount of something. However, they are not interchangeable in all contexts. "Barely" is often used to mean just enough or almost not at all, while "hardly" is typically used to mean almost not or scarcely.
When a story is told in the past tense, the adverbials hardly, scarcely, barely and no sooner are often used to emphasise that one event quickly followed another. The verb describing the earlier event is usually in the past perfect tense. If hardly, scarcely, barely and no sooner are in the initial position, the subject and auxiliary are inverted:
Hardly is a synonym of scarcely. In degree terms the difference between scarcely and hardly is that scarcely is almost not at all; by a small margin while hardly is barely, only just, almost not. As adverbs the difference between scarcely and hardly is that scarcely is probably not while hardly is firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion.
- How to Use Hardly, Scarcely, Barely in English
- Hardly
- Scarcely
- Barely
In today’s English lesson for B2 upper-intermediate and C1 Advanced learners in how to use the words Hardly, Scarcely, Barelyin English. The three words have very similar meanings and we can use them almost interchangeably. So let’s look at how we use them.
Hardly means the same as almost not, only just and certainly not. For example, if you say ‘We hardly ever go to the cinema these days’ it means that we almost nevergo to the cinema. If you say ‘What’s wrong with your hand? You can hardly hold your fork’ you mean that the other person can only justhold his or her fork in their hand. Most likely beca...
Scarcely also means almost not, only just and certainly not. Look at some examples of how we use it: 1. She was scarcelyable to walk after she had her baby. 2. We had scarcelyarrived at the cinema when the film started. 3. Sacking the coach was scarcelythe best decision to take. As you can see, the examples above are very similar to the examples wi...
Barely means almost not, or only just. We don’t use it to mean certainly not. Here are some examples: 1. My salary is barelyenough to make ends meet. 2. He spoke in such a low voice that I could barelyhear what he was saying. 3. We had barelyleft home when the car broke down. So that’s how we use Hardly, Scarcely, Barely in English. Don’t forget th...
SCARCELY definition: 1. almost not: 2. used to say that something happened immediately after something else happened…. Learn more.
People also ask
What is the difference between scarcely and hardly?
What does scarcely mean?
What tense do you use hardly in a sentence?
What is the difference between hardly and barely?
Can You substitute'scarcely' for 'hardly' in a sentence?
What does hardly mean?
Grammar hardly / scarcely / barely / no sooner Hardly, scarcely, and barely can all be used to say that something is almost untrue or almost impossible. They are used with words like any and anyone, with adjectives and verbs, and are often placed between can, could, have, be, etc. and the main verb: They have sold hardly any copies of the book.
