a harsh thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'a harsh thing' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something unpleasant or severe, for example: "Breaking up with her was a harsh thing to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It is a harsh thing to say, but in some cases it is absolutely true.

The New York Times - Sports

That would be a harsh thing to do, to judge someone whose performances merit his inclusion.

The Guardian - Sport

He describes the UK's decision to leave the European Union as "a tragedy; a harsh thing".

The Guardian - Film

"It's quite a harsh thing to say but I do think there is a lack of trust in the Fifa organisation," Brown told Talksport.

Independent

While sentencing Quinsee for manslaughter, Justice George Lush remarked, "I do not absolve you Mr Quinsee from all blame for the separation, but your wife did a harsh thing to you when she left you".

The Guardian - Opinion

Are these really the ultimate aims of musical performance in a time of violent crisis?" This is a harsh thing to say of Bernstein, who rarely missed a chance to politicize music, and who routinely irritated much of his audience by doing so.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Their system consisted in never listening to complaints, but rather rushing in with accusations, so as to inspire fear, so as the plaintiff would run away for fear of not having to endure a harsher thing than the cause of his [original] complaint".

Wikipedia

But she shouldn't be here.' And that's a really harsh thing to say.

The New York Times

"It is very good at killing bugs but is a very harsh thing to use as it destroys the good tissue and can delay healing".

The Guardian

One of them, which existed largely on paper, was a pretty harsh thing, with firm numerical quotas, effective border security, and harsh punishments for undocumented aliens who violated the laws.

The New Yorker

We don't want to make an experience in which you're punished because you can't jump above a certain height or your gross motor skills aren't developed enough – that would be a pretty harsh thing to do and it would run counter to the spirit of our game.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a harsh thing" when you want to express that an action, statement, or situation is severe, unpleasant, or difficult to accept. It often carries a connotation of something being unjust or unfair.

Common error

While "a harsh thing" is generally acceptable, overuse in casual conversation can make your language sound overly formal or dramatic. Consider using simpler, more direct alternatives like "that's tough" or "that's rough" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harsh thing" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies and characterizes an action, statement, or situation as severe or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage and widespread occurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a harsh thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote severity, unpleasantness, or injustice. As supported by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. It commonly appears in news and media, Wiki and general writing, expressing judgment on actions or situations. While suitable for various contexts, avoid overuse in overly informal settings to maintain a balanced tone. Related phrases can offer nuances that match the precise intended meaning. The expression offers more formality than phrases like "that's tough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cruel blow

Emphasizes the painful and damaging aspect of the event.

a severe blow

Emphasizes the damaging impact of the event.

a severe matter

Emphasizes the gravity and seriousness of the situation.

a bitter pill to swallow

Implies that the situation is unpleasant but must be accepted.

a difficult ordeal

Highlights the challenging and trying nature of the experience.

a tough situation

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of the circumstances.

a raw deal

Indicates unfair treatment or an inequitable outcome.

a tough break

Suggests a stroke of bad luck or an unfortunate event.

a grim reality

Underlines the bleak and depressing nature of the situation.

an unpleasant reality

Focuses on the disagreeable and unwelcome nature of the truth or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a harsh thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a harsh thing" to describe actions or situations that are severe or unpleasant. For example: "Saying that to him was "a harsh thing" to do" or "Losing the game after all that hard work was "a harsh thing" to experience."

What is a synonym for "a harsh thing"?

Synonyms for "a harsh thing" include "a difficult thing", "a hard thing", or "a cruel thing". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a harsh thing"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the severity or unpleasantness of something. It fits well in formal writing or when discussing serious topics. In casual conversation, consider more relaxed alternatives like "that's tough".

What's the difference between "a harsh thing" and "a hard thing"?

"A hard thing" generally refers to something difficult to do or achieve, while "a harsh thing" implies something is severe, unpleasant, or even cruel. For example, "It's "a hard thing" to climb that mountain," versus "Saying those words was "a harsh thing" to say."