a hard time making

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard time making" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing difficulty in completing a task or achieving something. Example: "She had a hard time making the decision about which job offer to accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He'd had a hard time making friends.

The New Yorker

People are having a hard time making ends meet.

The New York Times

He had a hard time making ends meet.

The New York Times

But I'm really having a hard time making ends meet.

Harvard Business Review

And I hear them, but I have a hard time making that distinction.

University of California, Berkeley

Even I had a hard time making sure the raisins were fully mixed in!

Princeton University

Even a piano mover would have a hard time making off with one.

The New York Times

When judged by conventional ad metrics Facebook clearly has a hard time making its case.

The Economist

Even the most famous foreign authors have a hard time making it big in Japan.

The New Yorker

Ms Stewart might have a hard time making this defence: she was once a broker.

The Economist

We're going to have businesses that are going to have a hard time making it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a hard time making" with stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences like "They are having a hard time making it". Instead, specify what "it" refers to. For instance, clarify if they're having a hard time making ends meet or making a decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard time making" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically adjectival, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating difficulty or challenge associated with performing a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard time making" is a common phrase used to express difficulty in performing an action. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news articles, academic papers, and general communication. While suitable for most contexts, stronger verbs may be favored in highly formal writing. Common alternatives include "struggling to make" and "finding it difficult to make". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact cause of the difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggling to make

Replaces "a hard time" with "struggling", emphasizing the effort involved.

finding it difficult to make

Substitutes "a hard time" with "finding it difficult", conveying a similar meaning with slightly different wording.

having difficulty making

Uses "having difficulty" instead of "a hard time", which is a more formal alternative.

experiencing trouble in making

Replaces "a hard time" with "experiencing trouble", indicating a problem or issue.

facing challenges in making

Replaces "a hard time" with "facing challenges", highlighting the obstacles encountered.

encountering obstacles in making

Similar to "facing challenges", but uses "encountering obstacles" for a slightly stronger emphasis.

grappling with making

Implies a more intense struggle than "a hard time".

laboring to make

Suggests a significant amount of effort is required.

striving to make

Highlights the effort being put into achieving the desired outcome, even if it's difficult.

endeavoring to make

A more formal way of saying "trying hard to make".

FAQs

What does "a hard time making" mean?

The phrase "a hard time making" means experiencing difficulty or challenges in performing a specific action or achieving a particular outcome. It indicates that the process is not easy and requires significant effort or struggle.

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

You can use "a hard time making" to describe difficulty in various contexts. For example: "She is having "a hard time making friends"", or "The company had "a hard time making a profit" last year."

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

Some alternatives to "a hard time making" include "struggling to make", "finding it difficult to make", or "having difficulty making". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "having a hard time to make" or "having a hard time making"?

"Having a hard time making" is the correct and more natural phrasing. "Having a hard time to make" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.