are hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are hard to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to do or achieve. Example: "These math problems are hard to solve without a calculator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Artists are hard to herd.

The New Yorker

Ragmen are hard to get.

The New Yorker

Violations are hard to prosecute.

The Economist

Jobs are hard to find.

The New York Times - Sports

They are hard to count.

The New York Times

Astronauts are hard to find.

The New York Times - Sports

Germs are hard to spread.

The Economist

Taxis are hard to find".

The New York Times

Outcomes are hard to measure.

The Economist

They are hard to use.

The New York Times - Health

Mortgages are hard to get.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are hard to", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is experiencing the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "It's hard to understand", specify "The instructions are hard to understand."

Common error

Avoid using "are hard to" in overly passive constructions that obscure the agent or cause of difficulty. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes are hard to be avoided", say "It is hard to avoid mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are hard to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the difficulty associated with performing an action or achieving a state. Ludwig AI indicates that it follows standard grammar rules and is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing challenges across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are hard to" is a versatile phrase used to express difficulty, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, offering a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When using "are hard to", clarity is key; ensure the subject experiencing the difficulty is clearly identified, and avoid overly passive constructions. Remember that while "are difficult to" serves as a formal alternative, choosing "are hard to" often maintains a more direct and relatable style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are difficult to

Replaces "hard" with its direct synonym, "difficult", maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

are not easy to

Uses a negative construction to convey the same idea of difficulty in a more literal way.

are challenging to

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging", indicating a task that requires effort and skill.

are tough to

Replaces "hard" with "tough", offering a more informal synonym.

pose a challenge to

Changes the structure to emphasize the challenge itself, rather than the difficulty.

are complex to

Indicates that the difficulty arises from the intricate nature of something.

present difficulties for

Shifts the focus to the difficulties themselves and who they affect.

are formidable to

Substitutes "hard" with "formidable", suggesting the difficulty is due to the size or strength of what is being faced.

are laborious to

Replaces "hard" with "laborious", giving the meaning of a long process to accomplish something.

aren't a walk in the park

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the difficulty in a more colorful way.

FAQs

How can I use "are hard to" in a sentence?

Use "are hard to" to describe something that presents a challenge or is difficult to accomplish. For example: "These problems "are hard to solve" without the proper tools."

What can I say instead of "are hard to"?

You can use alternatives like "are difficult to", "are challenging to", or "are tough to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is hard to" instead of "are hard to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is hard to" with singular subjects and "are hard to" with plural subjects. For example, "This task is hard to complete", but "These tasks "are hard to complete"".

What's the difference between "are hard to" and "are difficult to"?

While both express difficulty, "are difficult to" is generally considered more formal than "are hard to". The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.