Hard schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hard schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a schedule that is demanding or difficult to manage due to its tight deadlines or numerous commitments. Example: "With back-to-back meetings and deadlines approaching, I have a hard schedule this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"People talk about our hard schedule, but it doesn't matter," said receiver Wayne Chrebet, who caught two touchdown passes yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

You know, for me, even though presidents have a very hard schedule, you know, and we keep very long hours, you have some more flexibility with your time because we live above the store, so to speak.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Regarding the Southwest incident, James E. Hall, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that the airline had "a good safety program," but that the company worked its airplanes hard, scheduling flights with very quick turnarounds.

The New York Times

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Vice

The Steelers have the hardest schedule in 2015, with their opponents having a combined winning percentage of.578 in 2014.

The Guardian - Sport

But improvements may not translate into victories given the harder schedule, shortened off-season (which hurt young players most) and higher expectations.

The New York Times

Buffalo had the hardest schedule in the A.F.C. last season, while the Chiefs had the conference's most forgiving slate of opponents.

The New York Times

Three years ago, the Patriots were denied a chance to defend their Super Bowl title despite finishing in a three-way tie for first place in their division and having a harder schedule than either of the other 9-7 thems, the Jets and the Dolphins.

The New York Times

Take the hardest schedule you can.

WikiHow

Good teams get harder schedules.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got one of the hardest schedules.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a busy period, use "Hard schedule" to convey the demanding nature of the commitments. For example, instead of saying "I have a busy week", you can say "I have a "hard schedule" this week" to highlight the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid overusing "Hard schedule" in very formal or professional contexts. While acceptable, alternatives like "demanding" or "rigorous" schedule might be perceived as more sophisticated and professional. Tailor your vocabulary to your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Hard schedule" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "hard" modifies the noun "schedule". It is used to describe the nature of a schedule, indicating that it is demanding or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hard schedule" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a demanding or challenging timetable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is indeed correct and usable. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal alternatives like "demanding schedule" or "rigorous schedule" may be more appropriate in professional or academic settings. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media contexts but is adaptable across various registers. When conveying the difficulty of managing a schedule, "Hard schedule" effectively communicates the effort and commitment required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Demanding schedule

Replaces "hard" with a synonym emphasizing the demanding nature of the schedule.

Strenuous schedule

Emphasizes the energy and effort required by the schedule.

Rigorous schedule

Highlights the strictness and thoroughness of the schedule.

Difficult schedule

A more direct synonym for "hard", indicating the schedule is not easy to manage.

Busy schedule

Focuses on the high volume of activities within the schedule.

Packed schedule

Emphasizes that the schedule is full and tightly arranged.

Tight schedule

Highlights the limited time available for each activity.

Challenging schedule

Indicates the schedule presents significant obstacles or difficulties.

Grueling schedule

Emphasizes the exhausting and demanding nature of the schedule.

Arduous schedule

Indicates the schedule is laborious and difficult to endure.

FAQs

What does "Hard schedule" mean?

"Hard schedule" refers to a timetable or plan that is demanding, challenging, or difficult to manage due to numerous commitments or tight deadlines.

What can I say instead of "Hard schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "demanding schedule", "strenuous schedule", or "challenging schedule" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Hard schedule" in formal writing?

While "Hard schedule" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "rigorous schedule" or "demanding schedule" may be more suitable for professional or academic writing.

How do I use "Hard schedule" in a sentence?

You can say "I have a "hard schedule" this week due to several project deadlines", or "The team is working under a "hard schedule" to meet the client's expectations".