The difference between Hardly and Scarcely

When used as adverbs, hardly means firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion, whereas scarcely means probably not.


Hardly is also interjection with the meaning: not really.

check bellow for the other definitions of Hardly and Scarcely

  1. Hardly as an adverb (manner, obsolete):

    Firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion.

  2. Hardly as an adverb (manner, archaic):

    Harshly, severely.

    Examples:

    "I can't really deal hardly with people."

  3. Hardly as an adverb (now, rare):

    With difficulty.

  4. Hardly as an adverb (degree):

    Barely, only just, almost not.

    Examples:

    "they hardly ever watch television;  I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather;  it's hardly possible he could lose the election."

  1. Scarcely as an adverb (modal):

    Probably not.

    Examples:

    "One could scarcely find any trout in the stream without the stocking program."

  2. Scarcely as an adverb (modal):

    Certainly not.

    Examples:

    "One could scarcely expect the man to know how to fly a helicopter."

  3. Scarcely as an adverb (degree):

    Almost not at all; by a small margin.