Examples of Hardly, scarcely and barely

[Francisco]

Dear all

Please I would like to see examples where the words hardly, scarcely and barely are used indistintly.

The best..
Francisco

[Torsten]

Hi Fransisco,

As three adverbs are very similar in meaning, it would be good to have some more context. What exactly do you want to say?
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Bruce]

Hi Francisco,

To answer your question we need to take a look at the root form
of each of these Adverbs which are the following:

1. Hard
2. Scarce
3. Bare

In English the majority of Adverbs are derived from an Adjective
which simply receives a Suffix in the form of -ly to turn it into an
Adverb. So you can be sure that every word you see which ends
in -ly is going to be an Adverb - which if you think about it, is simply
a way to compliment and describe the action of a Verb.
That?s why it?s called an Add-Verb.
You just Add a Verb to a Verb and you?ve got an Adverb.
Adverbs can be placed at beginning, middle or end of a sentence.

There are about 8 types or classes of Adverbs which we use everyday.
In fact if you want to classify them all you will able to make a list of
around 12 - 15 types, but that?s not really necessary right now.
Classifying is a form of analysis that can go on Ad-Infinitum or until
there are hardly any more words to classify. Or barely a word
left over to classify or until the is scarcely a word which you
can find to classify.

In your usual English books you will be informed of the first 5 types - which are:
Adverb of Frequency, Manner, Reason, Place and Time.

So, now onto the explanation.

1. Hard - means - difficult, strenuous, exhausting, tough, very solid etc.
2. Scarce - means - in short supply, few, rare, deficient, insufficient.
3. Bare - means - naked, nude, exposed, essential, plain, unpolished.

There are many more synonyms for these words which can be found in a good Thesaurus.
A Thesaurus is a Dictionary of Synonyms & Antonyms, or Words of the Same (Syn=Latin)
and Opposite (Anti=Latin) Names (Nyms=Latin) meaning: samenames & antinames.

I use a Super-Mini Thesaurus by Chambers which has 155,000 synonyms
and antonyms. This I carry around with me because it is light.
I have two other types. Roget?s Thesaurus (a big fat book with great classifications)
and The New Collins Thesaurus (simple and clear to use).
I would recommend all students to buy the Chambers Super-Mini version
for convenience and good fun.
So where were we. Ah, yes.
The above three Adverbs; Hardly, Scarcely and Barely are interchangeable
and they ALL mean:

- almost,
- just,
- only just
- not quite
- seldom

Look at the root meaning and then you will find the appropriate use for each one.
A point to note: Scarcely is scarcely used today in everyday English because
it is a very old (Archaic) version, but you will find it non the less.
Hardly and Barely are the most common.
Let?s do some examples.

HARDLY

I could hardly believe my eyes as I saw the Twin Towers in flames.

I could hardly get up in the morning after a heavy drinking session at the Oktoberfest
(not Octoberfest - it?s a German word).

I can hardly expect you to drive after you have driven 2000km without a break.

... those examples describe a difficult situation.

I hardly knew my neighbours although we had lived side by side for
ten years. We barely exchanged a word during that time.

Just, "hallo, isn?t it a lovely day" and "have a nice weekend" etc.

I hardly had enough time to eat a sandwich and drink a cup of tea in the lunch break.
The boss was so strict with production we only got a 20 minute break
- three times in eight hours.

I hardly went to the fitness studio after I joined as a member.
My work in the city just didn?t allow the time I had expected.
I was almost tied to my desk and could barely get away due to deadlines
and commitments.

... those examples show an almost non-existant situation.

BARELY

I can barely keep up with him.
He is as fast and skilled as Michael Schumacher at driving his car.

I barely open the door when I get home when my dog jumps up and
licks my nose. He can hardly wait until I get home, he?s a great companion.

... those examples express an situation of almost, just about.

I had barely enough money to pay for the petrol at the station.

I could scarcely expect the attendant to let me pay him another time when I drive through.
The man had barely a stich of clothing on his body when the police found him.
He said he had scarcely put a foot in the park when the robbers jumped on him.
He then laughed because the robbers had hardly any clothing on themselves.

That?s barely legal young sir, drinking two days before your 18th birthday.
Yes I know, but do you think a policeman would mind?
No, your right. Who cares? Cheers.

... those examples express an situation of almost a deficit.

SCARCELY

Here you can also see the possible interchange which the Adverb - scarcely.
As you can see I have thrown in a few examples with scarcely to give you a feel for its use.
Because English is a flexible language, nobody is going to correct you if
you use hardly, barely and scarcely in the same situations.
You will soon know what?s appropriate.
I hope that will help you and few other readers Francisco.
I have taken the time to write alot and clarify because we have a very large
audience out there and they are sure to have similar questions about Adverbs etc.
Best Wishes, Bruce.

[Francisco]

Dear Bruce
Thank you for your wide response, I think it is quite enough for me in this very moment and I guess I hardly could find myself a more didactic explanation.
Again thank you for your time, sincerely
Francisco.

[Francisco]

Dear Torsten
First of all I would like you to know that I am happy to be in this mailing list, I think it is a wonderful place to learn.
Next, I would say that I already got in the Bruce's e-mail just what I need, thank you for your concern
Francisco.

[hurricane_sh]

Hi Bruce. your answer is very very impressive!! Should be published somewhere to benefit more people.

[lev]

(three years later) Thank you so much Bruce.