a hard time believing

USAGE SUMMARY

"a hard time believing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's difficulty or struggle in accepting or understanding something. For example: "She seemed to be having a hard time believing what he was saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Listeners have a hard time believing this.

The New York Times - Arts

I had a hard time believing this was true.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I still have a hard time believing that Tom has passed away.

Stanford University

Hooper has a hard time believing it but he could neither confirm nor deny the report.

The New Yorker

Countries without defined borders have a hard time believing they're moving in the right direction.

The New York Times

The early reports were so pronounced that until recently, doctors had a hard time believing them.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have a hard time believing that advocating these things will be a political winner.

The New Yorker

She was still having a hard time believing she had just won the Nobel Peace Prize.

The New York Times

The one thing I truly have a hard time believing is that I'm 78.

The New York Times - Arts

I have a hard time believing that is the spirit in which the question was asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I still have a hard time believing she overdosed," he told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hard time believing", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty in believing. Providing specific details will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a hard time believing" in situations where stronger expressions of disbelief or skepticism are more appropriate. For instance, if something is clearly false or absurd, consider using phrases like "find it unbelievable" or "consider it nonsense" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard time believing" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe someone's difficulty in accepting or understanding something. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English. The expression usually precedes a clause explaining what is difficult to believe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard time believing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express difficulty in accepting something as true. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting comfortably in news reports, academic discussions, and everyday conversations. When using the phrase, clarity is key: provide context to what's causing the disbelief to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives exist, "a hard time believing" strikes a balance between conveying doubt and softening potential disagreement, as highlighted by various examples across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it difficult to believe

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something as true.

struggle to accept

Focuses on the internal conflict in coming to terms with something.

have difficulty accepting

Similar to "struggle to accept" but slightly less emotional.

find it hard to swallow

Suggests that the information is unpleasant or shocking.

remain skeptical about

Indicates a state of doubt and questioning.

find it implausible

Highlights the unlikelihood of something being true.

am doubtful that

Expresses uncertainty about the truth or validity of something.

have my doubts about

Suggests underlying suspicions or reservations.

take it with a grain of salt

Advises caution in accepting something at face value.

am inclined to disbelieve

Indicates a leaning towards not accepting something as true.

FAQs

How can I use "a hard time believing" in a sentence?

You can use "a hard time believing" to express difficulty in accepting something as true. For example, "She was having "a hard time believing" that he had won the lottery."

What's the difference between "a hard time believing" and "find it hard to believe"?

While both phrases convey difficulty in believing something, "a hard time believing" often implies a personal struggle or emotional aspect, whereas "find it hard to believe" is a more general statement of disbelief. They are mostly interchangeable, but "find it hard to believe" can be perceived as slightly more formal.

What can I say instead of "a hard time believing"?

You can use alternatives like "find it difficult to believe", "struggle to accept", or "remain skeptical about" depending on the context.

Is "a hard time believing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a hard time believing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It is a standard way to express difficulty in accepting something as true or real.