comparatively hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparatively hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the difficulty of one thing to another, indicating that it is harder in relation to something else. Example: "This math problem is comparatively hard when you consider the simpler ones we solved earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Freudian analysis is comparatively hard to find, having been made archaic by antidepressants.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's partly why I think Samsung is ignoring Google's desire that the 4.0 home button should be virtual; it couldn't distinguish itself, and long/short/double pressing on a virtual button is comparatively hard to detect).

The Guardian - Tech

I took a comparatively hard stance on cheating.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Those who don't swoon over Jaffe, Homer and Fenton will be more than ready to return to the comparatively hard-edged, gritty splendors of Manhattan -- and a stiff drink.

The New York Times

That's partly because its American co-star, Jared Gertner (transferred, with his ever-welcome colleague Gavin Creel, from the show's touring company back home), is a more puppyish presence than his predecessor, Josh Gad, who took a comparatively hard-line, more shtick-laden approach to the part of Elder Cunningham.

The New York Times - Arts

Comparatively hard-resistant rocks like emerged reef limestones or various igneous rocks allow an island to remain higher longer than when it is composed of low-resistant (even unconsolidated) materials.

Geoscience Letters

In a multi-tenant Cloud environment, it is comparatively harder to identify the person responsible for any security breach or misbehavior.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Social aspects of ecosystems contributions to human well-being, on the other hand, are comparatively harder to grasp, thus predominantly overlooked in the general assessment of ES and EDS.

Ecological Indicators

While sliding against 100Cr6 steel balls, the steady state coefficient of friction (CoF) increased with increasing surface roughness of the coatings, but the CoF remained unaffected in the case of comparatively harder Si3N4 balls.

Surface and Coatings Technology

CR6 was comparatively harder than CR4 which is because of the presence of higher concentration of GMS.

BioMed Research International

DNA barcoding marine communities have been comparatively harder to accomplish due to the broad taxonomic diversity and lack of consistently efficient primers.

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comparatively hard", ensure you provide a clear reference point for the comparison. The statement is more effective when the basis of comparison is explicit or easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively hard" without providing context or a comparison. Saying something is "comparatively hard" without specifying what it's harder than makes the statement vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively hard" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It describes the relative degree of difficulty of something in comparison to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is valid and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "comparatively hard" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to denote a relative difficulty when compared against a specific reference point. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its register is neutral, adaptable based on the overall formality of the writing. To enhance clarity, always ensure that the basis of comparison is either explicit or readily apparent to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively difficult

Emphasizes the difficulty in relation to a specific context or benchmark.

moderately challenging

Highlights the level of challenge being faced, suggesting it's not overly simple.

somewhat strenuous

Focuses on the effort required, indicating that it demands more energy than expected.

rather demanding

Implies that the task or situation places high expectations or requirements.

comparatively strenuous

Uses 'strenuous' to emphasize the effort required by comparing it with other less demanding activities.

relatively arduous

Indicates a task that is difficult and tiring, emphasizing the laborious nature.

moderately taxing

Stresses the burdensome or draining aspect of the task or situation.

somewhat tricky

Highlights the complex and potentially deceptive nature of the situation.

reasonably tough

Indicates that the situation is firm, unyielding and strong enough to require effort and resilience.

fairly rigorous

Implies that the process is strict, meticulous, and demanding.

FAQs

How can I use "comparatively hard" in a sentence?

You can use "comparatively hard" to describe something that is more difficult than something else. For example, "This exam was "comparatively hard" when compared to the previous one."

What are some alternatives to "comparatively hard"?

Some alternatives to "comparatively hard" include "relatively difficult", "moderately challenging", or "somewhat strenuous", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "comparatively hard"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "comparatively hard". The adverb "comparatively" modifies the adjective "hard", indicating a relative degree of difficulty.

What is the difference between "comparatively hard" and "disproportionately hard"?

"Comparatively hard" implies a relative difficulty in comparison to something else. "Disproportionately hard" implies that the difficulty is unfairly or excessively challenging compared to what is expected or reasonable.