What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
barely
Example
I barely had enough time to finish my homework before the deadline. [barely: adverb]
Example
The team barely won the game by one point. [barely: adverb]
hardly
Example
He hardly ever goes to the gym. [hardly: adverb]
Example
There was hardly any food left in the fridge. [hardly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hardly is more commonly used than barely in everyday language. Hardly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while barely is less common and used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between barely and hardly?
Both barely and hardly can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, barely may sound slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.
