hardly
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hardly
An adverb that expresses that something can happen only with great effort, under difficult circumstances, or very unlikely. It is a more elevated variant of 'kaum' (hardly).
Ohne eine genaue Karte werden wir den abgelegenen Ort schwerlich finden.
Without an accurate map, we will hardly find the remote place.
The adverb 'schwerlich' (hardly) is derived from the adjective 'schwer' (difficult/heavy). The ending '-lich' forms an adverb here that carries the meaning 'in a difficult way' or 'with difficulty.'
Das lässt sich schwerlich beweisen.
That can hardly be proven.
'Schwerlich' (hardly) belongs to elevated written language and is rarely used in everyday conversation. It gives a statement a formal or literary tone.
Er wird sein Versprechen schwerlich halten können.
He will hardly be able to keep his promise.
As an adverb, 'schwerlich' (hardly) usually comes directly after the conjugated verb in a main clause. It expresses strong doubt or a negative assessment.
Ich kann das schwerlich akzeptieren.
I can hardly accept that.
hardly / barely
Wohl kaum and schwerlich both express strong doubt. Wohl kaum sounds neutral and is common in everyday speech; schwerlich sounds more elevated and here indicates a very low probability. Schwerlich may therefore be appropriate in more formal texts.
Im formellen Bericht heißt es, der Plan werde schwerlich gelingen.
The formal report states that the plan is hardly likely to succeed.
„Der Plan wird wohl kaum gelingen“, sagt Lea im Gespräch.
“The plan is hardly likely to succeed,” Lea says in the conversation.
