always hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always hard to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that consistently presents difficulty or challenges. Example: "It's always hard to find a balance between work and personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's always hard to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

They are always hard to play".

The New York Times - Sports

Period lampshades are always hard to find.

The New York Times

"It's always hard to win a classic.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's always hard to say," Agassi said.

The New York Times - Sports

Bradley was always hard to read, even by his staff.

The New Yorker

"It is always hard to get their attention.

The New York Times

"Election reform is always hard to do," he said Thursday.

The New York Times

It's always hard to score a lot of points.

The New York Times - Sports

It's always hard to go wrong with a Golf (right).

Independent

But then, it's always hard to tell with Mr. Brand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "always hard to", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the task or situation difficult. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "always hard to" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the conditions or factors that consistently contribute to the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always hard to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive, describing a consistent attribute of an action or situation. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates something regularly presents difficulty. The AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always hard to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate consistent difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts and has a neutral tone suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what makes the situation challenging. Alternatives like "consistently challenging to" or "perennially difficult to" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and provide specific context when describing something as "always hard to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently challenging to

Focuses on the ongoing and persistent nature of the challenge.

perennially difficult to

Emphasizes the enduring and recurring difficulty.

invariably tough to

Highlights the consistent toughness associated with something.

habitually problematic to

Suggests that the difficulty is a recurring habit or pattern.

regularly taxing to

Highlights that the difficulty presents a consistent burden.

predictably arduous to

Emphasizes that the difficulty is expected and strenuous.

typically complex to

Focuses on the usual complexity involved.

customarily intricate to

Highlights that the difficulty comes from the intricate nature of something.

ordinarily cumbersome to

Suggests the difficulty arises from something being awkward or unwieldy.

conventionally demanding to

Emphasizes that the difficulty is due to established or traditional demands.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "always hard to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "consistently challenging to", "invariably difficult to", or "perennially problematic to". These options, like "consistently challenging to", add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

What's a more casual way to say "always hard to"?

In informal contexts, you might use phrases like "tough to begin with" or "a pain to". However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your communication.

Is it grammatically correct to say "always hard to"?

Yes, "always hard to" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It effectively conveys that something consistently presents a challenge or difficulty, as seen in various examples from Ludwig.

When is it better to use "frequently challenging" instead of "always hard to"?

Use "frequently challenging" when you want to emphasize the repeated nature of the challenge without necessarily implying it's a constant or universal experience. "Always hard to" suggests a more consistent difficulty, while "frequently challenging" highlights recurring difficulties.