Common Grammar Mistakes: Hardly Never (Ever)

When it comes to the English language, it's easy to make mistakes. Whether it's a slip of the tongue or a typographical error, grammar errors can occur frequently. One common mistake that often goes unnoticed is the incorrect usage of the phrase "hardly never (ever)".

The Correct Phrase: Hardly Ever

The correct phrase to use is "hardly ever". This means rarely or almost never. When someone says "I hardly ever go to the movies", they mean that they rarely or almost never go to the movies.

Let's take a closer look at this phrase and understand why "hardly never" is grammatically incorrect. Both "hardly" and "never" are negative adverbs. When we use two negative words in a sentence, they cancel each other out, creating a double negative. In English grammar, double negatives are considered incorrect and can lead to confusion.

Examples:

• Incorrect: I hardly never eat dessert.
• Correct: I hardly ever eat dessert.

• Incorrect: She hardly never gets angry.
• Correct: She hardly ever gets angry.

By using "hardly ever" instead of "hardly never", you will avoid the common mistake of using a double negative and maintain proper grammar in your conversations and writing.

In order to catch such mistakes and enhance your writing skills, it's always recommended to use a reliable grammar checker like Linguix. With its advanced algorithms and easy-to-use interface, Linguix can help you identify and correct errors like "hardly never (ever)", ensuring your content is grammatically accurate.