scarcely
Translation
scarcely, hardly, barely
Examples
I could scarcely believe it.
I could scarcely believe it.
Scarcely had I arrived when the trouble started.
Scarcely had I arrived when the trouble started.
Grammar Patterns
scarcely + verb almost not; only just I could scarcely believe it.
Scarcely had + subject + p.p. ... when ... used to say that one thing happened immediately after another Scarcely had I arrived when the trouble started.
Similar Words
Synonyms: hardly, barely, almost not
Etymology
From the adjective 'scarce' + the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'.
Memory Tips
Something is so 'scarce' that you can 'scarcely' find it. Note the inversion when it starts a sentence.