a hard question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a hard question' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a question that is difficult to answer. For example: "I am having trouble deciding what to do. It is a hard question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a hard question.

The New York Times

It is a hard question.

The New York Times

Wow – what a hard question!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a hard question.

The Guardian

Langer: That's a hard question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"That's a hard question," she said.

The New York Times

That's a hard question to answer.

The New Yorker

But their experience raises a hard question.

The Economist

So this is a "hard" question.

The New Yorker

It's a hard question, actually.

The New Yorker

That's such a hard question.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hard question", ensure the context clearly indicates why the question is difficult – is it due to complexity, sensitivity, or lack of information?

Common error

Avoid using "a hard question" when the question is merely tedious or requires simple factual recall. Reserve it for questions genuinely challenging to answer due to their complexity or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a question characterized by its difficulty, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a question that poses a significant challenge. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic settings. While alternatives like "a challenging question" or "a difficult question" exist, they carry similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly justifies the perceived difficulty. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging question

This alternative uses "challenging" instead of "hard", suggesting a question that requires effort to answer.

a tough question

Using "tough" as a synonym for "hard", this phrase conveys a similar level of difficulty.

a difficult question

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", maintaining the same meaning.

a complex question

This alternative suggests that the question involves many interconnected parts or aspects.

a perplexing question

This suggests the question is confusing and hard to understand.

a demanding question

This version emphasizes the amount of effort needed to address the question.

a knotty question

Using "knotty" implies a complicated and difficult to resolve question.

a thorny question

This alternative suggests that the question is sensitive and could cause conflict.

a problematic question

This alternative highlights the question's potential to cause issues or difficulties.

a weighty question

Using "weighty" implies the question has significant importance or consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "a hard question" when referring to a question that is difficult to answer due to its complexity, sensitivity, or lack of information. For example, "Deciding on a career path is "a hard question" for many students."

What are some alternatives to "a hard question"?

Alternatives include "a challenging question", "a tough question", or "a difficult question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "a hard question" and "a difficult question" are acceptable and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Difficult" might sound slightly more formal, while "hard" is more common in everyday speech.

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

It's best to avoid using "a hard question" when the question is simple or straightforward and doesn't require significant thought or analysis. In such cases, a more appropriate phrase might be "a simple question" or "an easy question".