In the worst cases, victims can hardly swallow, talk or eat solid food.
Looking into the depths of the stew, he found he could hardly swallow.
Her mouth was dry and raw, and she could hardly swallow.
Her mouth was so dry that she could hardly swallow.
His throat was so choked most of the time he could hardly swallow.
It was so bitter he could hardly swallow it.
Raven put the wooden cup to her lips and sipped, but she could hardly swallow.
I hoped it hurt so bad he could hardly swallow, much less talk.
Suddenly I could hardly swallow the strange tasteless stuff in my mouth.
Richard's mouth was so dry he could hardly swallow.