subject + modal + hardly/scarcely + main verbWith modals, hardly or scarcely comes after the modal and before the main verb.
Hardly and Scarcely
B2Hardly and scarcely mean almost not. They already make the sentence negative, so do not add another negative word.
What you'll learn
- Use hardly and scarcely to express almost not.
- Place hardly and scarcely in the normal spot near the verb.
- Avoid not, no, or never with hardly and scarcely.
- Choose hardly or scarcely with the same grammar pattern.
- Recognize frequent combinations like can hardly see and hardly any.
Structure
subject + be + hardly/scarcely + complementWith be, hardly or scarcely comes after be and before the complement.
hardly/scarcely + any + nounUse hardly any or scarcely any for very small quantity.
Build a sentence
Subject
Pattern
Word
Icanhardlysee
I can hardly see the board.
Put hardly after the modal and before the main verb.
When to use
Weak ability
Use them when someone can do something only with difficulty: I can hardly hear you. Tom could scarcely move his arm.
Very small amount
Use them for tiny amounts or weak quantity: We had hardly any time. Sara ate scarcely anything at lunch.
Weak certainty
Use them when something is difficult to believe or accept: I can hardly believe it. Daniel scarcely noticed the change.
Markers
can hardlycould hardlyhardly anyscarcely anyhardly seescarcely believe
Common mistakes
Wrong
I can't hardly hear Lisa on the phone.
Correct
I can hardly hear Lisa on the phone.
Hardly already makes the meaning negative, so can't creates a double negative.
Wrong
They don't scarcely talk after work.
Correct
They scarcely talk after work.
Scarcely already means almost not. Do not add don't for the same negative idea.
Wrong
Maria could see hardly the screen.
Correct
Maria could hardly see the screen.
Put hardly before the main verb, not after it.
Wrong
The answer was clear hardly.
Correct
The answer was hardly clear.
With be, hardly comes after be and before the complement.
Wrong
I can't believe this result.
Correct
I can hardly believe this result.
Can't means not at all. Hardly means almost not, so it gives a weaker and more exact idea here.
Common misconceptions
❝ Hardly means exactly the same as not. ❞
Not means zero. Hardly means almost zero, so the meaning is weaker and more precise in many sentences.
❝ I need not or can't with hardly to show a real negative. ❞
Hardly and scarcely already carry negative meaning, so another negative word is not needed.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_FOR_ALMOST_NOTw5Use hardly and scarcely to mean almost not
Use hardly or scarcely when something is possible, visible, heard, true, or enough only to a very small degree. They make the meaning negative without using not.
PUT_BEFORE_MAIN_VERBw5Place hardly and scarcely before the main verb
Put hardly or scarcely before the main verb, often after a modal or after be. In normal statements they do not go at the very end of the sentence.
AVOID_NOT_WITH_SEMI_NEGATIVEw5Avoid not with hardly and scarcely
Hardly and scarcely already give a negative meaning. Do not add another negative word like not, no, or never to express the same idea.
CHOOSE_HARDLY_OR_SCARCELYw3Choose hardly or scarcely in standard sentences
In most everyday sentences both words mean almost not. Hardly is more common; scarcely is more formal, but the structure stays the same.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_PATTERNSw3Recognize common patterns with hardly and scarcely
Notice frequent combinations like can hardly see, hardly know, scarcely believe, and hardly any. These patterns often signal weak quantity, weak ability, or weak certainty.