big hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difficulty or challenge that someone is facing. Example: "Losing my job during the pandemic has been a big hardship for my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although paying 20 to 30percentt more for groceries may not be a big hardship for the affluent people who live west of Broadway, it is devastating to the budgets of low-income people living to the east.

The New York Times

But it's been a big hardship.

Los Angeles Times

When you make what I made and then you don't have it, it's a very big hardship.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Big hardships, these challenges ― they're always with us".

Huffington Post

The biggest hardship was the nighttime temperatures.

The Guardian - Travel

"Timeliness is the biggest hardship when riding the bus," she said.

The New York Times

"I figured if the biggest hardship in my life was walking an extra 10 minutes each way to the station," he said, "then I had it pretty good".

The New York Times

Older Venezuelans who have recently migrated say that arguably the biggest hardship is coming to terms with the challenges of starting anew in their sunset years.

The New York Times

Earning credibility was the biggest hardship for me.

Huffington Post

Realizing it might not happen when I want it too is the biggest hardship.

Huffington Post

You, you are told, you existing and wanting to exist, is the country's biggest hardship right now.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "big hardship", consider the context. It's effective for conveying a significant challenge but might sound less formal than "considerable adversity" or "major difficulty".

Common error

Avoid using "big hardship" as a generic descriptor for any difficulty. Instead, consider whether a more specific term like "financial strain", "emotional distress", or "logistical problem" would provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big hardship" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "hardship". It describes a significant difficulty or suffering. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts involving economic difficulties and personal struggles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big hardship" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a significant difficulty or adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While "big hardship" isn't exceedingly common, it appears mostly in news and media sources, indicating a neutral level of formality. When writing, consider the specific context and whether more precise language, such as "financial strain" or "emotional distress", would be more effective. Although related phrases can express similar meanings, they may vary slightly in formality or nuance. As stated by Ludwig, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing the best phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme difficulty

This alternative phrase is a direct synonym, emphasizing the high level of trouble or challenge involved.

major difficulty

Replaces "hardship" with "difficulty" and "big" with "major", indicating a considerable problem.

significant challenge

Substitutes "hardship" with "challenge", suggesting a demanding situation that requires effort to overcome.

considerable adversity

Replaces both words to highlight a difficult or unfavorable situation.

severe struggle

Uses "struggle" to emphasize the effort involved in overcoming the hardship, with "severe" indicating intensity.

great misfortune

Shifts the focus to the unfortunate nature of the event causing the hardship.

tough ordeal

Suggests a difficult or painful experience that tests endurance.

serious tribulation

Emphasizes the testing or trying nature of the hardship, indicating a period of suffering.

substantial burden

Focuses on the weight or difficulty imposed by the hardship.

major setback

Suggests an event that delays or prevents progress, causing hardship.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "big hardship"?

Alternatives include "major difficulty", "significant challenge", or "considerable adversity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "big hardship" in a sentence?

Example: "The economic downturn caused a big hardship for many families." You can also say "The new regulations created a big hardship for small businesses".

Is "big hardship" too informal for professional writing?

While understandable, "big hardship" might be perceived as less formal. Consider using more formal alternatives like "significant difficulty" or "substantial challenge" in professional contexts. For example, in formal communications you may consider using "financial strain".

What's the difference between "big hardship" and "minor inconvenience"?

"Big hardship" implies a serious problem causing significant difficulty or suffering, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a slight annoyance or temporary disruption. The scale of impact is vastly different.