be hard to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be hard to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the difficulty of completing a task or action. Example: "It can be hard to do everything on your own without any help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This can be hard to do.

The New York Times - Magazine

That, however, may be hard to do.

The New York Times

But that can be hard to do.

The New York Times

Which can be hard to do.

The New York Times - Arts

"It will be hard to do".

The New York Times

Breaking up can be hard to do | Go Ask Alice!

Columbia University

He understood why that would be hard to do.

The New York Times

"Now it's going to be hard to do.

The New York Times - Arts

That can be hard to do, harder if you're dying.

The New York Times

"I think that would be hard to do," Showalter said.

The New York Times - Sports

That will be hard to do without slashing spending.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be hard to do", ensure the context clearly specifies what action or task is difficult. For example, instead of saying "It will be hard to do", specify: "Implementing this new policy will be hard to do."

Common error

Avoid using "be hard to do" as a general statement without clarifying what exactly is difficult. Overuse can make your writing vague and less impactful. Provide specific details about the challenges involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be hard to do" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the difficulty associated with performing an action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be hard to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the difficulty of performing an action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appears across diverse sources like news outlets, academic papers, and wikis. When using this phrase, it is essential to provide a clear context for what is difficult. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives such as "be difficult to accomplish" in appropriate settings. Avoid vagueness by specifying the action or task. In conclusion, understanding the nuances of "be hard to do" can significantly enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be difficult to accomplish

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving a specific goal or task.

not be easily achieved

Highlights that success isn't straightforward or simple.

be a tough undertaking

Focuses on the undertaking being challenging.

be no easy task

Highlights the absence of ease in completing something.

present a challenge

Focuses on the challenging aspect, highlighting the obstacle rather than the difficulty of performing an action.

not be a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the lack of ease in a situation.

prove to be problematic

Shifts the focus to the potential problems that might arise.

demand considerable effort

Highlights the amount of effort required.

pose a significant hurdle

Emphasizes the obstacle that needs to be overcome.

require significant exertion

Stresses the amount of energy and effort needed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be hard to do" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "be difficult to accomplish", "present a challenge", or "demand considerable effort" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

What is a more idiomatic way to say "be hard to do"?

An idiomatic alternative to "be hard to do" is "not be a walk in the park". This phrase emphasizes that the task is not easy.

How does "be hard to do" differ from "be impossible to do"?

"Be hard to do" suggests that something is difficult but potentially achievable, while "be impossible to do" implies that something cannot be done under any circumstances. The first suggests a challenge; the second, a barrier.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be hard to doing" instead of "be hard to do"?

No, "be hard to doing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct infinitive form is "be hard to do", where "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.