. While "can't hardly" is frequently used in casual conversation and regional dialects, it is technically a double negative and should be avoided in professional or formal writing. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange The Quick Breakdown Standard Choice: "I can hardly wait." Non-Standard Choice:
Let's take a closer look! * Short Answer. I can hardly wait. Correct. I can't hardly wait. Incorrect (but see “Long Answer” below) I Can Hardly Stand It | Everything Language and Grammar is it can hardly or cant hardly free
The word acts as a negative adverb meaning "barely" or "scarcely." "Can hardly wait" versus "can't hardly wait" * Short Answer
Here are 100% free resources to catch this error instantly: I can't hardly wait
However, logically, "can't hardly" could imply that someone cannot do something hardly or at all, but this usage is generally not accepted in formal or standard English.
In standard English, the word functions as a negative adverb. It means "almost not," "scarcely," or "barely."
If you were to interpret "can't hardly" literally: