“Hard” vs. “Hardly”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “hard” and “hardly”

  • "Hard" is a physical property, while "hardly" is an adverb that describes the degree of something.
  • "Hard" implies a certain level of toughness, resilience, or difficulty, while "hardly" suggests a lack of intensity or frequency.
  • "Hard" can be used to indicate strength or determination, while "hardly" can mean scarcely or with great difficulty in some contexts.
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What is the definition of “hard” and “hardly”?

Hard
  • "Hard" refers to something that is not soft and can resist pressure or force.
  • It can also mean difficult to do or achieve, requiring a lot of effort and endurance.
  • Hard can also describe someone or something that is unyielding and unwavering in their opinions or character.
Hardly
  • "Hardly" means barely or almost not at all.
  • It can also be used to indicate that something is unlikely or improbable to occur.
  • "Hardly" can also imply a negative connotation, suggesting that someone or something is inadequate or incompetent.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Hard” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Hard
4,890,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I scraped my knee on a hard rock.
  2. The exam was so hard that no one passed it.
  3. The lady of the house was hard to please.
Hardly
532,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. He hardly ever goes to the gym, so he's not very fit.
  2. We hardly had any time to enjoy the beach because of the rain.
  3. The restaurant was hardly worth the price we paid for the food.
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