"I hardly/highly doubt it" [closed]

I hardly doubt it

means you doubt it only a little.

I highly doubt it

means you doubt it a lot.

Both are grammatical but mean quite opposite things.


I've never heard the term "I'd hardly doubt it"; you'd use that in case you were unsurprised were events to take a certain turn.

"Do you reckon she'll come back?"

"I'd hardly doubt it. It's not like she has a back-up plan."

You'd use "I highly doubt it" (note use of I/I'd) if you were dubious of the course of events.

"Are the cookies ready yet?"

"I highly doubt it, it only feels like five minutes."