as hard as it appears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hard as it appears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something may seem difficult, but it might not be as challenging as it looks. Example: "Many people think that learning a new language is daunting, but it's not as hard as it appears if you practice regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Maybe not as hard as it appears.

The Guardian - Opinion

Developing charisma is not as hard as it appears to be.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

None of this is as hard as it might appear, because the social troubles in the rich world are nothing to do with the overall level of economic activity.

The Guardian

Your town will look amazing just because there are no weeds, and it is not as hard as it may appear at first, be patient.

WikiHow

From my findings it would appear both British Airways and [London City Airport] have done everything in their power to make Ms Stevens' life as hard as it possibly can be".

Independent

And not as hard as it sounds.

The New York Times

(About as hard as it sounds).

The New Yorker

Union officials say that proposal is not as generous as it appears, and that the flex cap is simply a hard cap in a different form.

The New York Times - Sports

But as hard as the staff appeared to be working, it was tough to sense what they were doing beyond hand-holding.

The New York Times

They no doubt realize that a military victory is as remote and as hard to define for them as it appears to be for President Hamid Karzai and his NATO allies.

The New York Times

Yet there were early clues in Limbaugh's show on Tuesday that he might not go as hard on Rubio as it appeared he would Monday.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "as hard as it appears" when you want to reassure someone that a task or situation is not as challenging as they might initially believe. This can help to encourage them to take action or persevere.

Common error

Avoid using "as hard as it appears" too frequently in your writing. While it's a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to convey the same meaning in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hard as it appears" functions as a comparative expression, often used to reassure or encourage by suggesting that a task or situation is less difficult than initially perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as hard as it appears" is a useful tool for suggesting that something is less difficult than it seems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable in written English. While it isn't incorrect, its frequency is uncommon, making it important to use it thoughtfully. The phrase is used primarily in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Keep in mind that while it is perfectly suitable for general use, you should consider more specific or formal alternatives for technical or scientific contexts. To maintain variety, synonyms like "easier than it seems" or "not as challenging as it looks" can be used to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as challenging as it looks

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of the apparent difficulty.

easier than it seems

Directly states that something is less difficult than expected.

not as difficult as it seems

Similar to "easier than it seems" but slightly more formal.

less complicated than one might think

Focuses on the complexity aspect, suggesting it's simpler than expected.

more manageable than anticipated

Highlights the manageability aspect, implying it's easier to handle.

not as overwhelming as it seems

Addresses the feeling of being overwhelmed, suggesting it's less intense.

deceptively simple

Highlights the contrast between appearance and actual simplicity.

presents less of a challenge than expected

A more formal way of saying it's easier than anticipated.

not the ordeal it seems to be

Implies that something seems like a difficult experience, but isn't.

less daunting than it appears

Focuses on the intimidating aspect, suggesting it's less scary.

FAQs

How can I use "as hard as it appears" in a sentence?

You can use "as hard as it appears" to suggest that something is not as difficult as it seems. For example, "Learning to code isn't "as hard as it appears" if you break it down into smaller steps."

What phrases are similar to "as hard as it appears"?

Similar phrases include "easier than it seems", "not as difficult as it seems", or "not as challenging as it looks". These all convey the idea that something is less complicated than initially perceived.

Is it always appropriate to use "as hard as it appears"?

While generally acceptable, using "as hard as it appears" may not be suitable for highly formal or technical contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives like "less complex than anticipated" or "not as demanding as expected".

What's the difference between "as hard as it appears" and "as hard as it is"?

"As hard as it appears" suggests a discrepancy between perceived and actual difficulty, implying it's easier than it looks. "As hard as it is" acknowledges the actual difficulty of something, without implying it's easier than expected.