actually harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "Actually harder" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is even more difficult than you had anticipated. For example: "I thought writing this essay would be hard, but actually harder than I thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's actually harder work for me.

The Guardian - Film

Engineering such discord is actually harder than making a blockbuster.

The Guardian - Film

They are actually harder to fool than lovers or wives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So is it actually harder to be a middle school girl today?

Harvard University

Fossil is actually harder than the surrounding area — you just wipe it.

The New York Times

The eye disease, which is better understood, is actually harder for her to cope with.

The New York Times

The recipe is actually harder to read than the dish is to prepare.

The New Yorker

"But once the race got started, it was actually harder than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

Now that Boerum Hill is desirable, Ms. Cusack said, it's actually harder to find volunteers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is actually really hard to describe.

Independent

"They're actually really hard to fuck up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually harder" to express a contrast between an initial expectation and the reality of a situation. It adds emphasis to the unexpected difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "actually harder" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "more challenging than anticipated" or "proves more arduous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually harder" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, indicating a higher degree of difficulty than initially perceived. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actually harder" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is more difficult than initially anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though more prevalent in news, media, and informal settings. While acceptable, it's important to consider formality and potentially opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "more challenging than expected" or "proves more arduous" in formal writing. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility, reinforcing its status as a common and useful phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turns out to be more difficult

Highlights the discovery of the increased difficulty.

surprisingly difficult

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the difficulty, similar to "actually harder".

more challenging than expected

Highlights the contrast between the anticipated difficulty and the reality.

tougher in reality

Focuses on the real-world difficulty, implying a discrepancy from expectations.

more demanding than it seems

Suggests that the difficulty is not immediately apparent.

is trickier than anticipated

Implies a subtle difficulty that requires finesse.

proves more arduous

A more formal way of saying something is "actually harder".

more strenuous than imagined

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort required.

surprisingly complex

Focuses on the intricate nature of the difficulty.

more intensely difficult

Highlights the intense nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "actually harder" in a sentence?

You can use "actually harder" to emphasize that something is more difficult than initially expected. For example, "I thought this exam would be easy, but it was "actually harder" than I thought".

What are some alternatives to "actually harder"?

Alternatives include "surprisingly difficult", "more challenging than expected", or "tougher in reality".

Is it grammatically correct to say "actually harder"?

Yes, "actually harder" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to indicate that something is more difficult than one might think.

When is it appropriate to use "actually harder" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "actually harder" in informal or neutral contexts where you want to express surprise at the difficulty of something. In formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative.