hardly a
Definition
- Adjective phrase:
- Very few; almost no: Used to emphasize the extreme scarcity or near absence of something or someone. It indicates that the number or amount is so small as to be almost negligible.
Usage
- Hardly a is used to modify a singular noun, creating a phrase that functions as an adjective to describe a noun phrase. It conveys a negative meaning similar to "almost no."
- It is typically placed directly before the noun it modifies.
Examples
- (The number of living men who remember is extremely small.)
- (There were almost no clouds.)
- (She had almost no free time.)
Advanced Usage
- "Hardly a" vs. "Hardly any": "Hardly a" is used with singular countable nouns, while "hardly any" is used with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
- Hardly a student passed the exam. (Singular)
- Hardly any students passed the exam. (Plural)
- There's hardly any milk left. (Uncountable)
Variants and Related Words
- Scarcely a: A near synonym, also meaning "almost no" or "very few."
- Scarcely a day goes by without him calling.
- Barely a: Another synonym, emphasizing a minimal amount just meeting a threshold.
- We had barely a minute to spare.
Synonyms
- Almost no
- Very few
- Scarcely any
Notes
- The phrase "hardly a" is often used for rhetorical effect to underscore rarity or absence.
- It is important to use the singular form of the noun after "hardly a," even though the meaning is plural ("very few people").
Adjective
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very few
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hardly a man is now alive who remembers that famous date and year
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