A prescriptivist, on the other hand, would argue that the logic of the double negative ("can't hardly" = "not + almost not") results in a positive ("can easily"), making the phrase not only nonstandard but also illogical.
"Can't" is a contraction of "cannot." When you combine "cannot" with "hardly," you create a . Logically, two negatives cancel each other out and create a positive.
If you are writing "I can't hardly wait," change it to "I can hardly wait." It keeps the excitement but fixes the grammar. is it can hardly or cant hardly free
While you will hear "can't hardly" in casual speech all the time, using it in professional or academic writing is a major grammatical misstep. Here is a complete breakdown of why this happens, how the grammar works, and how to make sure your writing remains flawless. The Direct Answer: Which One Should You Use?
With all this in mind, how do you choose which phrase to use? The best approach depends on your context: A prescriptivist, on the other hand, would argue
The "can't hardly" error belongs to a larger family of common double negatives. Here are a few other pairs where you should always choose the positive verb: Incorrect (Double Negative) Correct Standard English Can't scarcely Can scarcely Can't barely Can barely Didn't do nothing Didn't do anything / Did nothing Haven't got no Haven't got any / Have no
If you say, "I can't hardly wait," the two negatives cancel out, technically meaning, "I am completely able to wait." If you are writing "I can't hardly wait,"
If you are editing your writing and trying to decide how to express a limitation, use these simple alternatives to keep your grammar flawless. 1. Stick with "Can Hardly"
Here is a deep dive into why this confuses so many people, the "double negative" trap, and how to use these phrases correctly in your writing. The Grammar Breakdown: Why "Can Hardly" Wins
The English language is full of phrases that sound perfectly natural when spoken but raise immediate red flags in formal writing. One of the most common battlegrounds for this is the choice between "can hardly" and "can't hardly."