cause hardship for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause hardship for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that create difficulties or challenges for someone or something. Example: "The sudden increase in rent will cause hardship for many families in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

There's no question that high gasoline prices cause hardship for many Americans.

The Washington Post

He added that the rule could be applied flexibly so it did not cause hardship for citizens.

The New York Times

June 2001: Soaring electricity prices cause hardship for many families and small businesses in several parts of the United States.

The New York Times

When Ms. Pingree succumbed to cancer in Phoenix, Ms. Turner worried that the funeral would cause hardship for family members who had to travel.

The New York Times - Tech

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis). has said that any GOP repeal would not cause hardship for those who have benefited from the ACA.

The Washington Post

Ms. Gregoire said the provision would cause hardship for many older African-Americans who never received birth certificates and for homeless people who did not have ready access to family records.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This legislation will cause hardships for local… Antagonism often creates structure.

The New Yorker

This legislation will cause hardships for local businesses and raise the cost of some consumer goods for local people, and these sacrifices will not be rewarded by any special environmental benefits to the citizens of Irvine.

The New Yorker

But even as officials acknowledged that the extreme weather would cause hardships for the many affected residents and perhaps chase away some of the newcomers, they insisted that it would not knock the galloping economy off its stride.

The New York Times

It causes hardship for struggling families and places instability at the heart of the economy.

The Guardian

Mr. Ikram rejected suggestions from the women's groups that polygamous marriages may benefit men while causing hardship for women.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about broad impacts, prefer "cause hardship for" over more specific terms like "impoverish" or "distress" to capture a range of negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid pairing "cause hardship for" with verbs that already imply hardship. For example, instead of "The policy caused hardship for and devastated families", use "The policy devastated families."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause hardship for" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as the main verb, "hardship" is the direct object, and "for" introduces the recipient of the action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates the act of creating difficult or adverse circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause hardship for" is a versatile expression used to describe actions or situations that create difficult circumstances for individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While "uncommon" in overall frequency, it serves to highlight negative impacts, focusing on the adverse effects on those affected. Alternatives such as "create difficulties for" or "impose burdens on" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. To enhance writing, pair "cause hardship for" with specific details about the type of hardship, and avoid redundancy with verbs that already imply hardship. In conclusion, understanding the context is key when using "cause hardship for" to ensure the message is both accurate and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create difficulties for

Focuses on the creation of obstacles rather than necessarily implying suffering.

impose burdens on

Emphasizes the weight or responsibility placed on someone.

inflict suffering on

Highlights the pain and distress caused.

bring adversity to

Suggests a broader range of negative outcomes beyond just difficulty.

generate problems for

Focuses on the creation of issues and challenges.

create privation for

Highlights a lack of basic necessities, such as food and water.

exact a toll on

Implies a cost or consequence, often physical or emotional.

precipitate challenges for

Focuses on bringing about difficult situations quickly or suddenly.

be detrimental to

Highlights the harm or damage caused to someone or something.

aggravate the plight of

Focuses on worsening already difficult circumstances.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "The new policy will cause hardship for many families"?

Alternatives include "The new policy will "create difficulties for" many families" or "The new policy will "impose burdens on" many families", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "cause hardship for" and "cause difficulties for"?

"Cause hardship for" implies a more severe and prolonged negative impact than "cause difficulties for". Hardship suggests suffering and privation, while difficulties refer to challenges that may be overcome more easily.

When is it appropriate to use "cause hardship for" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when discussing policies, events, or situations that significantly and negatively impact people's lives, particularly concerning basic needs and well-being. Be sure the tone aligns with neutral reporting rather than emotional appeal.

What are some synonyms for "cause hardship for" that emphasize the emotional impact?

If you want to emphasize the emotional impact, consider using phrases like "inflict suffering on" or "cause distress for", but ensure these stronger terms accurately reflect the situation.