a hard comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a comparison that is difficult to make or involves significant differences between the items being compared. Example: "When evaluating the two products, it was a hard comparison due to their vastly different features and price points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a morning conference call, the Fiorina crew made it clear that their aim is to activate primary voters with a hard comparison of their candidate with Boxer, rather than primary rivals.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's a pretty hard comparison to shake when you consider that Alibaba was responsible for the largest IPO in U.S. history last year — its current market cap exceeds $230 billion — but JD.com is different in key areas.

TechCrunch

Though Smith never sounds like Walt Whitman, his goals make the comparison hard to avoid.

The New York Times - Books

"It just shows how hard comparisons can be for the man on the street – there are so many ifs and buts".

The Guardian - Money

The former prime minister, Stephen Harper, took a hard line in comparison to the progressive Liberals, and his refusal to deal with indigenous human rights issues has further damaged the relationship between the government and the community.

The Guardian - Opinion

In comparison, a hard copy of a Form 144, which takes longer to get because it has to be faxed or mailed, listed this information and then some.

Forbes

Results are also found for a square plate on a hard edge support and comparisons are made with two-dimensional plate theories.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Their fifth album, Living Things, is also an electronic-heavy album, but includes other influences, resulting in a harder sound by comparison.

Wikipedia

That the fundamental act of complaining becomes closed off to you when the bulk of the world has such a harder time in comparison.

Los Angeles Times

Yet even he has a hard time finding an apt comparison for the demands of the sport.

The New York Times - Sports

Payton vs. Sayers is an apples-and-oranges comparison, really: a hard worker, dependable and dedicated, punching in and never missing a day over 13 tough years, versus an artist possessing God-given talent that is transcendent but fleeting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a hard comparison", ensure that the reason for the difficulty is clear to the reader. Providing context as to why the comparison is challenging will improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard comparison" when the comparison is simply different, not necessarily difficult. Ensure that a genuine challenge exists in making the comparison before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard comparison" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "comparison". It suggests that the act of comparing is difficult or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard comparison" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where making a comparison is difficult or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase appears across diverse fields, from news media to scientific publications, the difficulty's nature should be clarified for readers. Alternatives such as "a difficult comparison" or "a challenging comparison" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. When writing, avoid using this phrase if the comparison is straightforward, and always provide context for the difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult comparison

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", maintaining a similar level of challenge or complexity.

a tough comparison

Substitutes "hard" with "tough", suggesting a challenging or demanding comparison.

a challenging comparison

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the comparison.

a complex comparison

Highlights the intricate nature of the comparison.

a demanding comparison

Focuses on the effort required to make the comparison.

a problematic comparison

Suggests issues or obstacles in making a fair comparison.

a nuanced comparison

Implies that the comparison requires careful attention to detail.

a tricky comparison

Indicates that the comparison is somewhat deceptive or misleading.

a subtle comparison

Highlights the delicate distinctions involved in the comparison.

a painstaking comparison

Emphasizes the meticulous work required to make the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "a hard comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "a hard comparison" to describe a situation where comparing two or more things is difficult. For example: "Making "a hard comparison" between these two products is tough because they serve different purposes."

What's a good alternative to "a hard comparison"?

Alternatives include "a difficult comparison", "a tough comparison", or "a challenging comparison". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a hard comparison" or "a difficult comparison"?

Both ""a hard comparison"" and ""a difficult comparison"" are correct and widely used. "Difficult" might be slightly more formal, but they are largely interchangeable.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a hard comparison"?

Avoid using ""a hard comparison"" if the elements being compared are easily comparable or if there's no significant challenge in drawing parallels or contrasts.