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Example sentences of "[adj] can hardly [vb infin] " in BNC.

No	Sentence
1	This can hardly make for distinguished results . )
2	This can hardly do much damage .
3	If all the cases that attract attention , because they are argued in important appellate courts before public scrutiny , are occasions on which judges are scrupulous in denying that they are serving the goal of protected expectations through their decisions , this can hardly do much to reinforce the public 's faith in that ideal .
4	This can hardly have been the enlightening effect of reason and liberty since in France the outcome of the same ideals was the triumph of the guillotine .
5	Quite what that meant is unclear and perhaps was unclear then ( the terms of the 817 Ordinatio would have needed updating anyway since Pippin I had died ) ; but the one thing that was perfectly clear was that Lothar was abrogating the 839 division-plan. This can hardly have surprised Charles : even before he knew of Lothar 's decision , it seems , he had sent envoys to remind him of the previous year 's sworn agreement ; of the protection owed by older brother to younger brother and by godfather to godson ; and ( by way of quid pro quo ) , of the obedience owed by a younger son to the primogenitus .
6	Although the rebels ' demands for personal freedom are conspicuous in the chronicles , this can hardly have been the main motive of the Kentishmen , one of the most prominent groups among the peasants , because in Kent there was no serfdom .
7	Though there may have been some hostility between the victuallers and the non-victuallers , this can hardly have been the only factor involved .
8	Even so , becoming angry when travel arrangements go wrong can hardly help .
9	Unlike cleaning chemicals which still perform even if they are grossly misused and , at worst can hardly leave a surface dirtier after application than before , misuse in disinfectants and sanitisers can result in an increase in bacterial contamination .
10	In one family the daughters " attended dances " regularly , but these can hardly have been like the dance-halls of the inter-war period .
11	Despite a surprisingly long cast list the number of speaking parts in 2001 can hardly exceed a dozen , which , given the rigorously controlled banality of the dialogue , is probably fortunate .
12	When there were contractors to be handed out directors may have tried to help one another , but that can hardly have been a sufficient reason for buying up large blocks of shares .