hard vs hardly — Hard is an adjective. It can mean solid, industrious, or difficult. For example: Heating the clay makes it hard (solid) . She is a hard (industrious) worker. It was a hard (difficult) test. Hardly is an adverb and means only just or… … English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words
hardly — adverb 1 almost not: I hadn t seen him for years but he had hardly changed at all. | can/could hardly do sth: The children were so excited they could hardly speak. | I can hardly believe it. | hardly anyone/anything (=almost no one or almost… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
hardly — hard|ly W2S2 [ˈha:dli US ˈha:rdli] adv 1.) almost not ▪ My parents divorced when I was six, and I hardly knew my father. ▪ The children were so excited they could hardly speak. ▪ I can hardly believe it. ▪ Hardly anyone (=almost no one) writes to … Dictionary of contemporary English
hard - hardly — ◊ hard Hard can be used as an adjective or an adverb, often with a similar meaning. They have so much hard work to do. Many old people have worked hard all their lives. ◊ hardly Hardly is an adverb. It has a totally different meaning from … Useful english dictionary
hard — hard, hardly 1. The normal adverb from hard is hard, as in They are working hard and Don t hit it so hard. Hardly has a special use, meaning ‘scarcely’ (as in We hardly know them) and ‘only with difficulty’ (as in She could hardly speak). 2.… … Modern English usage
hardly — hard, hardly 1. The normal adverb from hard is hard, as in They are working hard and Don t hit it so hard. Hardly has a special use, meaning ‘scarcely’ (as in We hardly know them) and ‘only with difficulty’ (as in She could hardly speak). 2.… … Modern English usage
hard|ly — «HAHRD lee», adverb. 1. only just; barely: »We hardly had time to eat breakfast. 2. not quite: »His story is hardly true. He is hardly strong enough to lift that trunk. 3. probably not: »They will hardly come in all this rain. 4 … Useful english dictionary
hardly — hard|ly [ hardli ] adverb *** Hardly is a negative word and is often used with words like any and ever, but it should not be used with other negative words: We hardly ever do anything interesting. Hardly comes before the main verb of a sentence,… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Hardly — Hard ly (h[aum]rd l[y^]), adv. [AS. heardlice. See {Hard}.] [1913 Webster] 1. In a hard or difficult manner; with difficulty. [1913 Webster] Recovering hardly what he lost before. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. Unwillingly; grudgingly. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
hardly — hard•ly [[t]ˈhɑrd li[/t]] adv. 1) only just; almost not; barely: hardly any; hardly ever[/ex] 2) not at all; scarcely: That report is hardly surprising[/ex] 3) with little likelihood: He will hardly come now[/ex] 4) Brit. harshly or severely 5)… … From formal English to slang