Grammar rules for using hard and hardly in English?

Answer 1

'Hard' can be an adjective, adding information about a noun. It is used in different ways:-

1. Hard means firm, and not easy to press or bend. It is the opposite of soft.

e.g. 'When Goldilocks tried Daddy Bear's bed, it was too hard. When she tried Mummy Bear's bed, it was too soft. But when she tried Baby Bear's bed, it was just right! And she got in and went to sleep!'

Explanation: Daddy Bear had a hard bed. Mummy Bear had a soft bed.

2. Hard means difficult, the opposite of easy.

"That was a hard lesson! I was very tired when it finished!"

---- 'Hard' can be an adverb, adding information about a verb. It means 'with a lot of effort'

"The student worked very hard to pronounce the new words correctly"

Explanation: The student worked hard... = The student used a lot of effort to ....

---- (For other meanings of 'hard', check in a dictionary)

---- ...is an adverb, which means that it tells you more about a verb.

1. Hardly means almost, or only a small amount.

"I was so surprised I could hardly speak!" Meaning: I was so surprised that I almost could not speak.

2. Hardly is also used for emphasis, to draw attention to something you think is not true, or is unlikely.

"I hardly think they will give me good marks, especially as I only did half of the questions!"

---- The words hard and hardly can both be used as adverbs. When you mean 'with a lot of effort' you should use hard, NOT hardly.

e.g. 'We all worked very hard this term.'

NOT 'We all worked hardly this term.'

and DEFINITELY NOT 'We hardly worked this term!'

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