Not started
Why hardly and barely already carry the negation.
Why you specifically
The rule
Hardly and barely already carry a negative meaning. In standard English, you normally do not add another negative word like not in the same clause, because that creates an incorrect double negative. This is especially important in formal writing and IELTS tasks.
The trap
He hardly ever doesn't go out on weeknights.
He hardly ever goes out on weeknights.
Hardly already has a negative meaning, so you do not add another negative word like 'not' in the same clause.
She can't barely hear the speaker from the back row.
She can barely hear the speaker from the back row.
Barely already means 'only just' and carries a negative sense, so 'can't barely' is incorrect.
I hardly didn't know anyone at the party.
I hardly knew anyone at the party.
Hardly makes the sentence negative in meaning, so adding 'not' gives a double negative that is ungrammatical in standard English.
We barely didn't have enough time to finish the test.
We barely had enough time to finish the test.
Barely already expresses a near-negation, so adding another negative word creates an incorrect double negative.
Prove it
10 drills
You have not fought this one yet.
