at this hard time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at this hard time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express empathy or acknowledgment of a difficult situation someone is experiencing. Example: "I want you to know that I am here for you at this hard time, and you can lean on me for support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If he could see for himself that all of you have shown up to show my brother love… at this hard time his family gets to see all of you show the love that you've shown Paul.

Independent

On 25 June Cape Town Archbishop Thabo Makgoba visited Mandela at the hospital and prayed with Graça Machel Mandela "at this hard time of watching and waiting".

Wikipedia

"If he could see for himself that all of you have showed up to show my brother love at this hard time, and his family gets to see all of you show the love that you've shown Paul, it's going to stay with me forever," Diesel said.

Los Angeles Times

"'If he could see for himself that all of you have showed up to show my brother love at this hard time, and that his family gets to see all of you show the love that you've shown Paul... It's gonna stay with me forever.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"All of us at fabric's thoughts are with the family of Jack Crossley at this extremely hard time," they said.

Vice

In Spain, they come at a particularly hard time.

The New York Times

If, at this point, you're having a hard time contextualizing this idea or drawing comparisons between this show and other things you may have seen, that's because we haven't seen anything like it before.

Huffington Post

Syrians, he said, embrace joy at the hardest times.

The New York Times

Lincoln Chafee has a record of making the right decision at the hardest times.

Huffington Post

A supporting family will always be with you at the hardest times.

WikiHow

Mr. Browne said, "We are having a hard time at this point trying to connect the dots between the violation of an internal N.F.L. policy and that same broadcast exemption".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at this hard time" to express empathy and acknowledge someone's difficult experience. It's especially appropriate when offering support or condolences.

Common error

While appropriate for personal communication, consider more formal alternatives like "during this challenging period" or "in these trying circumstances" for business or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at this hard time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the temporal context of an action or state. It indicates when something is happening, emphasizing that it is occurring during a period of difficulty or hardship, Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at this hard time" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey empathy and support during a period of difficulty, Ludwig confirms. While its usage is relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. To enhance formality in professional settings, consider using alternatives like "during this challenging period" or "in these trying circumstances". The phrase's primary function is to acknowledge someone's struggles and offer comfort, making it suitable for personal communications and supportive messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during this difficult period

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "time" with "period", offering a slightly more formal tone.

at this challenging moment

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" and "time" with "moment", emphasizing a specific point in time.

during this tough phase

Replaces "hard" with "tough" and "time" with "phase", suggesting a temporary period of difficulty.

in these trying circumstances

Substitutes the entire phrase to convey a similar meaning with a focus on challenging conditions.

in the face of such adversity

Emphasizes the presence of hardship and struggle.

amidst these hardships

Highlights the presence of several difficulties or challenges.

while facing these challenges

Focuses on the act of confronting difficulties.

under the current circumstances

Focuses on the present conditions being difficult, removing the direct mention of "time".

given the present difficulties

Highlights existing challenges instead of a specific timeframe.

as we navigate this difficult situation

Emphasizes the process of dealing with a challenging event.

FAQs

What does "at this hard time" mean?

The phrase "at this hard time" is used to acknowledge a difficult period someone is experiencing, expressing empathy and support.

When is it appropriate to use "at this hard time"?

It's suitable in situations where you want to show support and understanding during someone's personal struggles, such as loss, illness, or other significant challenges.

What can I say instead of "at this hard time"?

You can use alternatives like "during this difficult period", "in these trying circumstances", or "under the current circumstances depending on the context.

Is "at this hard time" too informal for professional communication?

While acceptable, it may be perceived as less formal. Consider alternatives such as "during this challenging time" or "in light of the current situation" for a more professional tone.