a hard stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard stare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an intense or intimidating look. For example: John gave her a hard stare when she asked for a loan.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He aimed a hard stare at Lindy.

The New Yorker

She gave Molly a hard stare.

The New Yorker

My wife gives me a hard stare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She gives me a hard stare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Start with what Paddington Bear calls a Hard Stare.

The Guardian

Nickell reached for the knob and paused, fixing me with a hard stare.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Sure, if Saul (Mandy Patinkin) has something really important to say, he'll muster the energy to shoot some cutting words through the bristles of his beard, but most of the time, his answer to a question or a discovery is a cold, hard stare.

Huffington Post

Or it may be the overruling roar of an angry dad, a cold, hard stare that threatens violence, a terse and irritable silence that muffles the entire room.

The New Yorker

This is not just any hard stare.

The Guardian - Arts

Baghdatis drops the advantage after a mishit from Nalbandian snuck in despite a particularly hard stare from the Cypriot, and Nalbandian takes the advantage with a backhand that finds a mere speck of the line.

The Guardian - Sport

There are people who give me a hard, strong stare and a stern look.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hard stare" to effectively convey a sense of intimidation, disapproval, or intense focus in your writing. It's particularly useful in narrative and descriptive contexts to characterize a person's emotional state or intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard stare" too frequently in dialogue tags. While it can be effective, overuse may lead to repetitive and predictable character interactions. Instead, vary your descriptions of characters' expressions and actions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard stare" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb (e.g., 'gave a hard stare', 'fixed with a hard stare'). According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hard stare" is a common and effective way to describe an intense or intimidating look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, lifestyle, and sports writing. While alternatives like "an intense gaze" or "a piercing look" exist, "a hard stare" succinctly conveys a sense of disapproval or focused scrutiny. When using this phrase, writers should aim for impactful descriptions and avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intense gaze

Emphasizes the intensity and focus of the look, rather than potential intimidation.

a piercing look

Highlights the sharpness and penetrating quality of the gaze.

a cold glare

Focuses on the unfriendly and unwelcoming aspect of the look.

a fixed gaze

Stresses the unwavering and motionless nature of the look.

a steely gaze

Emphasizes the firmness and determination conveyed by the look.

an unwavering look

Highlights the steadfast and resolute nature of the stare.

a stern look

Focuses on the serious and disapproving nature of the expression.

a penetrating stare

Emphasizes the way the stare seems to see through someone.

a searching gaze

Highlights that the person looking does so in a way to understand more than the obvious.

a scrutinizing look

Indicates that the look is carefully examining something or someone.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a hard stare" in a sentence?

Use "a hard stare" to depict characters displaying disapproval, dominance, or intense focus. For example, "The boss gave him "a hard stare" when he arrived late for the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "a hard stare"?

You can use alternatives such as "an intense gaze", "a piercing look", or "a cold glare" to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "a hardly stare" instead of "a hard stare"?

No, "a hardly stare" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a hard stare", where "hard" is an adjective modifying the noun "stare".

What does "a hard stare" typically imply about a person's emotions?

"A hard stare" usually implies negative emotions such as disapproval, anger, or suspicion. It can also suggest determination or intense concentration, depending on the context.