I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.

[teyla]

They are hardly ever late.

What does it mean?
Thank you.

[amigos4]

They are hardly ever late.

What does it mean?
Thank you.

Teyla,

'Hardly ever' means 'almost never'! A better sentence might be: They are seldom late.

Cheers,
Amigos4

[poltilak]

They are hardly ever late.

What does it mean?
Thank you.

Amigos4,s answer is correct. Hardly ever means 'almost not'.
"he hardly ever goes fishing"; "he was hardly more than sixteen years old"

[Anglika]

Hardly ever means 'almost never'.

[teyla]

thanks for the answers.

but can you tell me please if these forms are also correct and if the ansewer is "yes" , can you explain them to me. or maybe if they are wrong you can tell me why.

They hardly are ever late.
They ever hardly are late.

I think that the topic is wrong in the both cases but I cannot explain why.. is it right?

[teyla]

help please... it's very important for me to know the answer and how to explain why a form is correct and why the other is wrong.

thanks in advance.

[amigos4]

thanks for the answers.

but can you tell me please if these forms are also correct and if the ansewer is "yes" , can you explain them to me. or maybe if they are wrong you can tell me why.

They hardly are ever late.
They ever hardly are late.

I think that the topic is wrong in the both cases but I cannot explain why.. is it right?

Teyla,

The words 'hardly' and 'ever' are used together, as in 'hardly ever'. Therefore, "They hardly are ever late." should be "They are hardly ever late."
"They ever hardly are late." is never used.

Note that hardly ever, rarely and seldom equate with occasionally or very occasionally in terms of frequency, but that when you use hardly ever, etc, you are putting a negative gloss on what you are saying. Occasionally sounds much more positive. Compare the following:

• I occasionally see my daughter when I'm up in London. If she's free, around lunchtime.
• I hardly ever see my daughter. She's far too busy to find time for me.

Does this explanation help you?

Cheers,
Amigos4

[beascarpetta]

both sentences are wrong
You've got to stick to the word order of "hardly ever", because only then is it synonymous with "rarely"/"seldom".
in forming negative statements , the rule of thumb if the verb is the simple present or past of "to be",the negative usually comes after the verb,but before the main verb,if it's a one-word form or if itcomprises one auxiliary verb and a main verb.
They hardly ever talk to each other.
They have hardly ever managed to ...
If you put it in front position,the subject must come after the auxiliary verb or main verb "be".(it's called an inversion)
Hardly ever are they late.
Hope this helps.