a hard time lighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard time lighting" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a hard time lighting something"? If this is the case, you can use it when describing difficulty in igniting or illuminating something, such as a fire or a light source. Example: "I had a hard time lighting the campfire because the wood was too wet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Laura was having a hard time lighting her cigarette.

The New Yorker

Too small, and you'll have a hard time lighting a fire or a cigarette.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or did he just have a hard time finding a light?

The New Yorker

The company will have a hard time keeping the lights on waiting for its market to come to age.

TechCrunch

The air was filled with weed smoke and while I'm sure neither Ken nor Saigon minded, the security guy had a hard time flashing his light in enough peoples eyes.

Vice

Even in semi-automatic "sport" mode, I had a hard time keeping the engine lit on slow-down, speed-up winding roads.

Los Angeles Times

Roe and his crew had a hard time developing the various lighting contrasts for the episode.

Wikipedia

There is one simple fact not mentioned regarding dial-and-drive restrictions ["Hands Off!" Dec. 24] that even Jerry Della Femina would have a hard time controverting or making light of: If a person took a road test with only one hand on the wheel, let alone with the distraction of being on the phone, he'd legitimately fail the test on the spot.

The New York Times

Mike Posner Learning difficulties Why have I had such a hard time learning to change a light bulb, fix a car and cook dinner?

Independent

Ms. Simkins, in particular, has a hard time remembering to turn off lights, and has been known to grumble about taking out materials for composting.

The New York Times

But they say that while the man they knew could be capable of great brutality, they have a hard time imagining him as the guiding light of an Iraqi insurgency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the object being lit is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For example, say "a hard time lighting the candle" instead of just "a hard time lighting".

Common error

Avoid using "a hard time lighting" without specifying what you are trying to light. This can lead to confusion and make the sentence grammatically incomplete. Instead, provide the object of the action, such as "a hard time lighting the fireplace".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard time lighting" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating difficulty in performing the action of lighting something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase benefits from specifying the object being lit for improved clarity. Examples from Ludwig include contexts related to cigarettes and fires.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a hard time lighting" describes experiencing difficulty in igniting or illuminating something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is often considered grammatically incomplete and benefits greatly from specifying the object being lit to provide clarity. Alternatives such as "difficulty igniting" or "struggling to light" are also available. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Remember to specify the object that is being lit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficulty igniting

Focuses specifically on the act of starting a fire or flame, replacing the broader 'lighting'.

struggling to light

Emphasizes the effort involved in lighting something, suggesting a more active attempt.

having trouble illuminating

Shifts the focus to providing light, rather than just initiating it.

finding it difficult to ignite

Rephrases the difficulty as a challenge in the process of ignition.

experiencing difficulty in lighting

Formally states the problem of lighting, adding a more descriptive tone.

finding it hard to get a light

Specifically refers to obtaining a flame or light source, often in the context of smoking.

having a problem with illumination

Focuses on the result of lighting, suggesting a general issue with brightness or visibility.

unable to ignite

Directly states the inability to start a fire or flame.

finding it tough to spark

Uses 'spark' to emphasize the initial act of creating a flame, adding a colloquial tone.

facing challenges in igniting

Highlights the obstacles encountered during the ignition process.

FAQs

What does "a hard time lighting" mean?

The phrase "a hard time lighting" typically means experiencing difficulty igniting something, such as a fire or a cigarette. The object should be explicitly stated for clarity, for instance, "I had "a hard time lighting the candle"".

Is "a hard time lighting" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a hard time lighting" is not entirely correct without specifying what is being lit. It's better to say "a hard time lighting something" to provide a clearer context. Alternatively, you can use phrases like "difficulty igniting" or "struggling to light".

What are some alternatives to "a hard time lighting"?

Some alternatives include "difficulty igniting", "struggling to light", or "having trouble illuminating". Always specify the object you are trying to light for clarity.

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

To use "a hard time lighting" correctly, specify the object you're lighting. For example: "She had "a hard time lighting her cigarette"" or "He had "a hard time lighting the barbecue"". Without the object, the sentence is incomplete.