When writing or speaking English, small words can completely change the validity of your sentences. One of the most frequent grammar dilemmas people encounter is choosing between the phrases "can hardly" and "can't hardly." While both are regularly heard in casual, spoken English, only one of them is grammatically correct in formal writing and speech.
If you want to express that something is difficult or nearly impossible, the choice is clear:
The best choice depends entirely on your audience and context.
It is a common colloquialism or regional dialect variant, especially in Southern and Midland American English. In many dialects, a double negative is used to add rather than to cancel out the negative. Pop Culture: is it can hardly or cant hardly free
Absolutely. This entire article is free. No paywall, no subscription. Bookmark it.
The phrase "can’t hardly" is a common fixture in casual speech, but in the world of formal writing, it is widely considered a grammatical error. This debate centers on the concept of the . To understand why "can’t hardly" is usually rejected and why "can hardly" is the preferred choice, one must look at how the word "hardly" functions in the English language. The Problem with "Can’t Hardly"
When trying to express that something is almost impossible, or that you are barely able to do something, you might find yourself stumbling over a common grammatical hurdle: can hardly or can't hardly . When writing or speaking English, small words can
If you were to use the incorrect double negative, you would inadvertently describe a state of freedom:
Are there or confusing word pairs you need to cover?
Proponents of "can hardly" argue that it's the only grammatically correct option. They claim that "hardly" already implies a negative meaning (barely or scarcely), so adding "can" simply indicates ability. According to this logic, "can't hardly" is redundant and incorrect. It is a common colloquialism or regional dialect
Most people who use "can't hardly" do not mean the positive version. They mean that walking is difficult. Because the literal meaning contradicts the intended meaning, standard English rejects "can't hardly" as nonstandard or grammatically incorrect. Quick Reference Comparison Grammatical Status Barely / Scarcely "I can hardly see the road." Can't hardly Double Negative Avoid in formal writing. Is "Can't Hardly" Ever Acceptable?
: The word "hardly" means "almost not." It turns a positive statement into a near-negative one.