Meaning & use
hardly ever
Last updated
UK/ˌhɑːdli ˈevə/
US/ˌhɑːrdli ˈevər/
Meaning
adverb
Almost never; very rarely.
Grammar: Used as an adverb of frequency. It usually comes before the main verb but after 'be': 'She hardly ever calls.' 'He is hardly ever late.'
Patterns
- hardly ever + verb
- hardly ever + adjective
- hardly ever + noun
I hardly ever watch TV these days.
She hardly ever eats meat, so she often chooses vegetarian dishes.
They hardly ever go on holiday because they are always busy.
Common combinations
- hardly ever go
- We hardly ever go to the cinema anymore.
- hardly ever see
- I hardly ever see my old friends now.
- hardly ever happens
- Such an accident hardly ever happens.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rarely
- Similar meaning, but 'rarely' is slightly more formal and can be used in writing; 'hardly ever' is more common in speech.
- seldom
- A more formal word meaning 'not often'; 'hardly ever' is stronger and more everyday.
- almost never
- A phrase with the same meaning; it is a bit more emphatic and can be used in formal contexts.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose one answer.
'Hardly ever' already has a negative meaning, so you do not add 'don't'. It comes before the main verb: 'I hardly ever eat fast food.'
Make it your own
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