a hard call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard call" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a difficult decision or judgment that needs to be made. Example: "Choosing between the two candidates was a hard call, as both had impressive qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a hard call.

Independent

It's a hard call really.

The New York Times

It is a hard call.

The Economist

"Is Iraq a hard call?" he said.

The New Yorker

That's not a hard call.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a hard call now.

The New York Times - Sports

This isn't a hard call.

The Guardian - Books

It was not a hard call.

The New York Times

It was a hard call to make.

The Guardian

Picking an "Elektra" is a hard call.

The New York Times

"It was a hard call," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly. While appropriate in many contexts, more formal situations may require a more precise or technical alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard call" when describing a task that is simply difficult, but doesn't involve a decision or judgment. For example, "climbing that mountain was a hard call" should be rephrased to something like "climbing that mountain was a difficult task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard call" functions as a noun phrase describing a difficult decision or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts. Examples show it used to describe decisions in business, personal choices, and political situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard call" is a commonly used phrase to describe a difficult decision or judgment. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various sources, especially in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise language. When writing, be sure to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a tough decision" or "a difficult choice" can be used to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tough decision

Replaces "call" with "decision", emphasizing the choice aspect.

a difficult choice

Similar to "a tough decision", but highlights the element of selection.

a challenging decision

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the decision.

a complex judgment

Focuses on the intricate nature of the evaluation required.

a problematic determination

Highlights the issues involved in reaching a conclusion.

a demanding assessment

Stresses the effort required for a comprehensive evaluation.

a weighty decision

Emphasizes the seriousness and impact of the decision.

a critical assessment

Stresses the importance and potential consequences of the evaluation.

a vexing issue

Highlights the frustration and difficulty associated with the matter.

a thorny question

Implies that the matter is sensitive and potentially controversial.

FAQs

What does "a hard call" mean?

The expression "a hard call" means a difficult decision or judgment. It's used when there are no easy or obvious solutions and careful consideration is needed.

What can I say instead of "a hard call"?

You can use alternatives like "a tough decision", "a difficult choice", or "a challenging decision" depending on the context.

How do I use "a hard call" in a sentence?

You can use "a hard call" in sentences like: "Choosing between the two candidates was "a hard call", as both had impressive qualifications." or "Deciding whether to invest in the new project was "a hard call" because of the associated risks."

Is "a hard call" formal or informal?

"A hard call" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in many contexts, including news articles and everyday conversation. However, in extremely formal or technical writing, more precise alternatives like "complex judgment" or "difficult determination" might be more appropriate.