Adverbs “hard” and “hardly”: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between “hard” and “hardly” in English?

Here’s an example of the types of concepts we teach in our English classes:

Look at the examples below. Can you tell the difference in meaning between these words?

These guys are running hard.

This guy hardly runs.

Here, it’s raining hard.

Here, it hardly rains.

On the weekends, she studies hard.

On the weekends, she hardly studies.

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The adverb “hard” intensifies the verb. It means “a lot” or “with great energy & determination.”

It follows the verb.

• He works hard. He should be promoted.
• She trains hard before a competition. She really wants to win.

In contrast, the adverb “hardly” tells you “almost never” about a verb or “almost not at all” about an adjective.

It precedes a verb in the simple past & present and comes after the helping verb in other tenses. It precedes any adjective it modifies.

• He has hardly shown up for class this term. He’s going to fail.
• Don’t be so lazy! You are hardly trying. Why not?
• It’s hardly polite to burp in public. If you do so, you have hardly any manners.
• We hardly slept last night.

Look at the pictures below. Make a sentence with either hard or hardly. (Answers below)

1) She has hardly any money.
2) These men are working hard.
3) They are playing hard.
4) The baby hardly grown any hair.