Definitions and Examples of slightly, hardly, barely
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To a small degree; not significantly.
Example
She was slightly nervous before her presentation, but she managed to deliver it well.
Almost not; scarcely; barely.
Example
He hardly ate anything for breakfast and felt hungry soon after.
Only just; almost not; hardly.
Example
She barely made it to the airport on time and had to run to catch her flight.
Key Differences: slightly vs hardly vs barely
- 1Slightly implies a small degree or amount, while quite implies a moderate or significant degree or amount.
- 2Hardly and barely both imply an almost non-existent degree or amount, but hardly is often used to describe negative situations, while barely can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
Effective Usage of slightly, hardly, barely
- 1Precision: Use slightly to describe small degrees or amounts.
- 2Negation: Use hardly or barely to express almost non-existent degrees or amounts.
- 3Emphasis: Use hardly or barely to emphasize the extreme nature of a situation or event.
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Remember this!
The antonyms of quite convey different degrees or intensities of the action or state described. Use slightly for small degrees, hardly or barely for almost non-existent degrees, and hardly for negative situations. Use these words to express precision, negation, or emphasis in your communication.
