as hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hard to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the difficulty of two tasks or situations. Example: "Learning a new language can be as hard to master as playing a musical instrument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're just as hard to get right.

The Guardian - Music

Conservationists have worked just as hard to preserve it.

The New York Times

Is just as hard to understand with the silly accents.

The Guardian

It is almost as hard to read as a sonogram.

The New York Times

The courts and the military are likely to fight just as hard to preserve their prerogatives.

University of Pennsylvania

The killers are as hard to recall in their particulars as they deserve.

The New Yorker

But comparisons across time are as hard to draw as comparisons across nations.

The Economist

Even so, Westfeldt had to fight just as hard to get it made.

The New York Times - Magazine

The details of Genzken's biography are as hard to pin down as she is.

The New Yorker

It is simple and as hard to explain as the homing instinct in a racing pigeon.

The New York Times - Sports

The disparities, while big, are not as hard to understand as they might seem.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as hard to", ensure you're comparing two specific actions or situations to clarify the context of the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "It's as hard to do", specify "It's as hard to learn French as it is to learn Mandarin".

Common error

Avoid using "as hard to" without a clear point of comparison. A statement like "Life is as hard to understand" lacks context. Instead, provide a reference point: "Life is as hard to understand as the quantum physics."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hard to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase within a sentence. It connects two actions, states, or objects, indicating that they possess a similar level of difficulty. Ludwig's examples show its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as hard to" is a versatile phrase used to draw comparisons regarding difficulty across various contexts. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and widely used, which is reflected in its "very common" frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. This phrase serves to communicate that two subjects are similarly challenging. To maximize clarity, the phrase should be used with a precise point of comparison, in order to be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally difficult to

This alternative directly replaces "as hard" with "equally difficult", maintaining the same level of challenge or complexity.

just as challenging to

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" to give a more nuanced description of the difficulty.

comparably tough to

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" for a less formal tone, while "comparably" emphasizes the similarity in difficulty.

similarly arduous to

This option employs "arduous" to highlight the effort and endurance required, fitting for tasks that are not only hard but also lengthy and tiring.

no less complicated to

Focuses on the complexity of the task, suggesting that it involves many interconnected parts or steps.

as intricate to

Highlights the delicate and complex nature of the task or situation, suggesting careful attention is needed.

virtually impossible to

This phrase stresses the near impossibility of succeeding or completing the task.

almost unachievable to

Emphasizes that completing the task is very unlikely, though not necessarily impossible.

demanding to a similar extent

This option redirects the sentence construction to underline a degree, a level of effort necessary, instead of an obstacle.

taxing to a comparable degree

This variant switches to emphasize a level of effort necessary, suggesting the task drains resources or energy similarly.

FAQs

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

You can use "as hard to" to compare the difficulty of two tasks or situations. For example, "Solving this puzzle is "as hard to" me as understanding advanced calculus."

What are some alternatives to "as hard to"?

Alternatives include "equally difficult to", "just as challenging to", or "comparably tough to" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "as hard to" is usable in written English. It is a common and accepted construction for comparing difficulty.

Which is correct, "as hard to do" or "so hard to do"?

"As hard to do" is used for comparisons, while "so hard to do" emphasizes the degree of difficulty without a direct comparison. For example, "It's "as hard to do" as it looks" compares the difficulty, while "It's "so hard to do", I don't know if I can finish it" emphasizes the high level of difficulty.