appreciably harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appreciably harder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant increase in difficulty compared to something else. Example: "The new exam format is appreciably harder than the previous one, requiring more preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The surface layer is only one-tenth the depth of a carburized layer, but it is appreciably harder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Until recently, construction survey evidence had been appreciably stronger than the hard data which had fuelled hopes that the sector was doing appreciably better than officially reported by the Office for National Statistics.

The Guardian - Business

The start of Regime II coincides with the onset of strain hardening and the distance between the hard segments increases appreciably with stretching in this regime.

Polymer

The Silver Spoon's long grain is appreciably less sticky, and thus drier and harder to work with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, free of the injuries associated with playing in freezing weather on hard pitches, club medical departments would, happily, be appreciably less busy.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to say whether an American hamburger was appreciably less safe to eat the day after a Holstein cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Washington State last month than it was the day before, but it had sure gotten less appetizing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Were hard drugs decriminalised, it's dubious that consumption would appreciably rise.

The Guardian

It's hard to make a case that Nordstrom has been appreciably damaged by the disruptive impact of e-commerce.

Forbes

There are some things that are better about suburbs now (fancier houses, a little more diversity, more organized activities for kids) and some things that are worse (more traffic, more pressure, not enough unorganized activities for kids), but it's hard to spend much time in Westchester and think life is appreciably better or worse now than it was 30 years ago.

The New York Times

Either the economy is doing appreciably better than the national accounts data show, the labour market is doing significantly worse than the hard data show, or productivity has genuinely weakened sharply.

The Guardian - Business

It'd be hard to argue that the Academy Award winners of the past couple of years have been appreciably different from those of previous seasons — or markedly distinct in and of themselves.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appreciably harder" to emphasize a noticeable and significant increase in difficulty, rather than a slight or negligible one.

Common error

Avoid using "appreciably harder" when the increase in difficulty is only marginal. Choose a more appropriate phrase to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appreciably harder" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "harder". It specifies the degree to which something is more difficult. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appreciably harder" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates a noticeable increase in difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates it’s correct and applicable. While the phrase itself isn't very frequent in written English, as evidenced by the limited number of examples, it is versatile enough to be used in neutral contexts. It is used across encyclopedias, news, and scientific publications, signaling its acceptability in formal and informal settings. When employing "appreciably harder", ensure the context genuinely reflects a significant increase in difficulty. If the difference is marginal, consider using alternative phrases that convey a more subtle change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more difficult

Emphasizes a considerable difference in difficulty.

noticeably tougher

Highlights that the increased difficulty is easily observed.

markedly more challenging

Indicates a distinct and clear increase in the level of challenge.

considerably more strenuous

Focuses on the increased effort or energy required.

distinctly more complex

Highlights an increase in intricacy and involved elements.

substantially steeper

Implies a significant increase in difficulty or effort, often in a figurative sense.

measurably more arduous

Indicates that the increase in difficulty can be quantified or assessed.

plainly more demanding

Suggests that the increased difficulty is obvious and requires more effort.

decidedly trickier

Indicates a clear and unambiguous increase in difficulty or deceptiveness.

visibly more intense

Suggests that the difficulty is apparent and easily perceived.

FAQs

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

You can use "appreciably harder" to describe something that is significantly more difficult than something else. For example: "The second level of the game is "appreciably harder" than the first."

What can I say instead of "appreciably harder"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly more difficult", "noticeably tougher", or "markedly more challenging", depending on the context.

Is "appreciably harder" formal or informal?

"Appreciably harder" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing. It's considered a neutral expression.

What's the difference between "appreciably harder" and "slightly harder"?

"Appreciably harder" indicates a significant difference in difficulty, while "slightly harder" suggests a minor or barely noticeable increase. The choice depends on the actual difference you want to convey.