GV

Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

Near-negative adverbs meaning 'almost not'

intermediate

When to Use Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

  • •Almost not: I can hardly hear you. (= almost can't)
  • •Very little: There's hardly any milk left.
  • •Just managed: We barely caught the train.
  • •Scarcely (formal): She had scarcely arrived when it started raining.
  • •Emphasizing difficulty: I could barely keep my eyes open.

How to Form Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

Affirmative (+)

Subject + can/could + hardly/barely/scarcely + verb

Negative (-)

Don't use with negative verbs (already negative meaning)

Question (?)

Can you hardly see? → Can you see at all?

💡 These words are already negative, so don't add 'not'. Position: usually before main verb or after auxiliary.

Examples of Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

✓I can hardly believe it.

✗I can't hardly believe it.

Hardly is already negative; don't add 'not'.

✓There's barely enough food for everyone.

✗There isn't barely enough food.

Barely is negative; no double negative.

✓She hardly ever goes out.

✗She doesn't hardly ever go out.

Hardly ever = almost never; already negative.

Common Mistakes with Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

💡 Practice Tips for Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

  • • Hardly/Scarcely/Barely = almost not (negative meaning)
  • • Never use with 'not' or other negatives
  • • Hardly ever = almost never
  • • Hardly any = almost no/none
  • • Scarcely is more formal than hardly/barely
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Which sentence is correct? 
  2. 2.She   ever goes out — maybe twice a year.
  3. Question 3: We blank caught the train — it was leaving as we ran up. (just managed)
    3.We caught the train — it was leaving as we ran up. (just managed)
  4. Question 4: There's blank any milk left — only a drop. (almost no)
    4.There's any milk left — only a drop. (almost no)
  5. Question 5: Fix the double negative: I don't hardly know him. → I blank know him.
    5.Fix the double negative: I don't hardly know him. → I know him.
  6. Question 6: Choose the right word: I can blank believe it. (adverb, not adjective)
    6.Choose the right word: I can believe it. (adverb, not adjective)
  7. Question 7: Replace 'I don't hardly walk' with the correct form: I can blank walk.
    7.Replace 'I don't hardly walk' with the correct form: I can walk.
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