hardly any
Could we say that "hardly ever" is always used in an affirmative sentence ?
I mean it doesn't admit a negative verb.

Thanks

Question

hardly any
Could we say that "hardly ever" is always used in an affirmative sentence ?
I mean it doesn't admit a negative verb.

Thanks

Answer

No, but it usually is.  "Hardly ever" means "rarely" and is the same as "almost never"

You could write, "He hardly ever doesn't read before bed."

Answer

Yes, it needs an affirmative verb form.