as hard as it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hard as it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe difficult situations or tasks. For example, "Studying for the final exam is as hard as it is important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He didn't, as hard as it is to believe.

The Guardian - Sport

– Still not as hard as it is for me.

The Guardian - Books

As hard as it is to believe, Presidents' Day is upon us once again.

The New Yorker

The rest of the time, soccer just looks as hard as it is.

The New Yorker

As hard as it is for auteurists to accept, a director isn't always right.

The Guardian - Film

As hard as it is though, we must insist on complexity.

The Guardian - Opinion

As hard as it is for me to say, it's over.

The New York Times - Sports

Worst Convertible: As hard as it is to make a bad convertible, advantage Sebring.

The New York Times

Almost as hard as it is to imagine today's Knicks even making the playoffs.

The Guardian - Sport

As hard as it is to imagine, Bausch might simply have stopped.

The Guardian

Sekiguchi says his Triple Crown run is as hard as it is glorious.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as hard as it is", ensure the subsequent clause provides a resolution or continuation despite the difficulty, demonstrating resilience or determination.

Common error

Avoid using "as hard as it is" without a clear contrasting element in the sentence. For example, instead of just stating "As hard as it is", complete the thought with something like "as hard as it is, we must persevere."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hard as it is" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by expressing a concession or acknowledging a difficulty. As shown by Ludwig, it sets up a contrast, highlighting a challenging situation before presenting a subsequent action or opinion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as hard as it is" functions as an adverbial phrase used to acknowledge difficulty before presenting a contrasting point. It is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, including news, media, and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage aims to build empathy or set up a contrast. To ensure proper use, remember to follow it with a clause that provides a resolution or continuation despite the acknowledged challenge. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "as hard as it is" into your writing to convey nuanced meaning and build credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the difficulty

This alternative emphasizes the existence of difficulty while introducing a statement.

even though it's challenging

This phrase highlights the challenging nature of something, similar to the original.

difficult as it may be

Inverts the structure while maintaining the core meaning of acknowledging difficulty.

in spite of the hardship

Focuses on the hardship involved, offering a slightly more emphatic alternative.

challenging though it might be

Similar to "difficult as it may be", it inverts the phrase and uses 'challenging'.

while acknowledging the difficulty

Explicitly mentions acknowledging the difficulty as a concession.

notwithstanding its complexity

Uses more formal language to indicate that something is complex but will be addressed.

regardless of the struggle

Emphasizes the presence of a struggle, maintaining a similar meaning.

even with these obstacles

Highlights that there are obstacles but action still proceeds.

admittedly, it's not easy

Introduces the admission of something not being easy.

FAQs

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

You can use "as hard as it is" to acknowledge the difficulty of something before introducing a contrasting idea or action. For example, "As hard as it is, we must continue to strive for progress."

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

Similar phrases include "despite the difficulty", "even though it's challenging", or "difficult as it may be".

When is it appropriate to use "as hard as it is" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "as hard as it is" when you want to acknowledge a challenge or difficulty but still emphasize the need to move forward or consider another perspective.

How does "as hard as it is" differ from "although it is hard"?

While both phrases express a similar idea, "as hard as it is" often conveys a slightly stronger sense of resignation or acceptance of the difficulty compared to "although it is hard", which may imply more resistance to the challenge.