3.ADVYou use hardly before a negative statement in order to emphasize that something is usually true or usually happens.几乎没有 (后接否定,表肯定)[强调][ADV n]
例：Hardly a day goes by without a visit from someone.
几乎没有哪一天没有来访者.
以上是有道的解释,所以这里hardly强调的是anyone,而不是强调谓语动词.
much less更不用说,可以是对前面的词（如动词的ed）进行进一步说明.