be hard to catch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be hard to catch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something or someone that is difficult to capture, obtain, or understand. Example: "The elusive butterfly can be hard to catch, even for experienced collectors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

He would no doubt be hard to catch.

The New York Times - Sports

Schuster warned her that it might be hard to catch the Millers doing anything illicit.

The New Yorker

Granted, they may be hard to catch and can often afford good lawyers.

The Economist

"They know what they're doing is not legal, so they want to be hard to catch".

The New York Times - Tech

We knew they would be hard to catch on a dry fly, but we tried anyway.

The New York Times - Travel

Unless Hello-Hello and Rocket Languages make enormous strides quickly, however, it'll be hard to catch Living Language.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But it will be harder to catch the world's attention next time.

The Economist

They will be less likely to flee, but they will also be harder to catch.

WikiHow

It will associate the punishment with being caught, not with running away, and will be harder to catch next time.

WikiHow

"Strick was hard to catch," Goydos said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're hard to catch," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be hard to catch" to describe a competitor, emphasize their strengths or advantages, such as "With his early lead, he will "be hard to catch"." This creates a vivid image of the challenge involved.

Common error

Avoid using "be hard to catch" in overly abstract or philosophical contexts where more nuanced language is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The meaning of life is "hard to catch"," consider "The meaning of life is difficult to grasp."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be hard to catch" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing a quality or state of being difficult to capture or overtake. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a challenge in obtaining or apprehending something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

18%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be hard to catch" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes something or someone difficult to capture or overtake. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely applicable in various contexts, including news, sports, and general discourse. While alternatives like "difficult to capture" or "elusive" exist, "be hard to catch" provides a direct and vivid way to convey the challenge involved. It is important to use the phrase appropriately, avoiding overly abstract contexts where more precise language may be necessary. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be not easily caught

A more literal and straightforward rephrasing.

be out of reach

Focuses on physical or metaphorical unobtainability.

be challenging to capture

Highlights the level of effort required to catch something.

be elusive

Indicates something is difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

prove difficult to seize

Emphasizes the difficulty in physically taking hold of something.

be resistant to capture

Highlights the resistance or opposition to being caught.

be difficult to overtake

Specifically refers to difficulty in surpassing something in a race or competition.

be tough to apprehend

Focuses on the difficulty in legally seizing or arresting someone.

pose a catching challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge that catching presents.

be beyond reach

Implies something is unattainable or inaccessible.

FAQs

How can I use "be hard to catch" in a sentence?

You can use "be hard to catch" to describe someone or something that is difficult to capture, overtake, or understand. For example, "The criminal will "be hard to catch" due to his elaborate disguises."

What can I say instead of "be hard to catch"?

You can use alternatives like "be difficult to capture", "be tough to apprehend", or "be elusive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be hard to catch" or "be hardly to catch"?

"Be hard to catch" is the correct phrasing. "Hardly" modifies verbs, while "hard" is used as an adjective to describe the difficulty.

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

While similar, "be hard to catch" often implies a greater degree of effort or skill required compared to "be difficult to catch". They are largely interchangeable, but "hard" can suggest a more active resistance or challenge.