Hardly is used to say something is almost not true or almost does not happen. It means very little or almost zero. We use it with negative or small amounts.
I can hardly hear you.
She hardly knows the answer.
In this use, hardly shows surprise that something was done so little or not at all. It often suggests that more action was expected.
He hardly smiled at the party.
They hardly spoke during dinner.
Here, hardly says the negative event or fact was very close to not happening. It emphasizes that the situation was very near to the opposite.
He hardly failed the test.
She hardly forgot her keys.
Hardly is used to show that a fact or event is difficult for someone to believe or accept. It expresses doubt or strong surprise.
I can hardly believe it.
She could hardly accept the news.
Hardly means that an action happened but only with effort or just at the limit. It suggests something is difficult or almost failed.
He hardly made it on time.
I hardly saw the road in the fog.
Hardly can be used in everyday talk to make negative opinions or doubts softer. It shows polite disagreement or mild denial.
I hardly think that is true.
She hardly expected your call.
