The comma rules in English are much simpler than in German. However, that makes them difficult for us because we have to remember the differences. Here is a typical mistake:
German: Comma before a sentence with “dass” / Englisch: no comma before “that”.
Prof. Smith says that her research gives us the definitive answer.
Prof. Smith says her research gives us the definitive answer.
It would be wrong to write:
Prof. Smith says, that her research gives us the definitive answer.
Prof. Smith says, her research gives us the definitive answer.”
y → ies
democracy → democracies
“hardly” is mostly used in the meaning of “barely”. It can, however, also mean “harshly”. But it is rarely used like that. Typical examples for sentences with “hardly” are:
It hardly matters what I think.
The changes in service have hardly been noticed.
There are hardly any new features in this software.
Hardly anyone showed up for the meeting.
Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about you.
This is hardly a new idea for a movie.
“Is this a new idea for a movie?” “Hardly! I’ve seen dozens of movies just like it.”