C1

hardly any + N · scarcely any + N · next to no + N

hardly any, scarcely any, next to no

Explanation

Ba cụm chỉ lượng gần bằng không. Chúng đã mang nghĩa phủ định nên KHÔNG dùng thêm not. hardly any và scarcely any đi được với cả hai loại danh từ; next to no thân mật hơn. Chúng nhẹ hơn no và nghe khách quan hơn. Bẫy thường gặp: Không phủ định hai lần: There was not hardly any warning ✗, There was hardly any warning ✓.

Examples

There was hardly any warning.

Gần như không có cảnh báo nào.

Scarcely any of the seats were taken.

Gần như không ghế nào có người ngồi.

We had next to no time to prepare.

Chúng tôi gần như không có thời gian chuẩn bị.

Hardly anyone noticed the change.

Hầu như chẳng ai nhận ra sự thay đổi.

Practice

Test your understanding with a quick quiz

Learn “hardly any + N · scarcely any + N · next to no + N” effectively

The grammar point “hardly any + N · scarcely any + N · next to no + N” (hardly any, scarcely any, next to no) is one of the key structures at CEFR 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.

Frequently asked questions