equally hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the difficulty of two or more tasks, situations, or challenges that are perceived to be of the same level of difficulty. Example: "Both exams were equally hard, making it difficult for students to prepare effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

States are equally hard hit.

The New York Times

Another truth hit him equally hard.

The New Yorker

Public institutions are equally hard hit.

The New York Times

But it avoids an equally hard truth.

The Guardian - Money

Mr Kerry is equally hard to take at his word.

The Economist

Equally hard for us to grasp is his radical humility.

The New Yorker

They work equally hard at stimulating observation and questioning.

The Economist

Why not work equally hard to have a good divorce?

The New York Times

Raiders have hit Umm el-Jimal equally hard.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The winner of the 2008 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize was equally hard-hitting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We should be equally hard-headed when it comes to preserving our own train building industry".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the difficulty of two tasks, use "equally hard" to clearly indicate that they present a similar level of challenge. This ensures your reader understands the comparison without ambiguity.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "equally hard". While generally acceptable, ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing. In more formal or sensitive contexts, consider alternatives like "equally challenging" or "similarly difficult" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally hard" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective, indicating that two or more things possess a similar level of difficulty. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies its correct and usable status in written English. The examples show the phrase comparing the difficulty of various tasks and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equally hard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys a similar level of difficulty between two or more subjects. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for use in both spoken and written English. While "equally hard" is quite versatile, be mindful of your context and tone. Alternatives like "just as difficult" or "similarly challenging" might be more appropriate in certain professional settings. Overall, "equally hard" serves as a straightforward way to communicate comparability in difficulty, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as difficult

Focuses on the level of difficulty being the same.

similarly challenging

Highlights the challenging nature of both situations or tasks.

comparably tough

Emphasizes the toughness involved in both scenarios.

as arduous

Implies a strenuous and demanding level of difficulty.

equally demanding

Stresses the demanding nature of both situations.

no less taxing

Indicates that both are equally burdensome or strenuous.

identically strenuous

Highlights the identical level of strenuous effort required.

of equal difficulty

Directly states that the difficulty level is the same.

on par in difficulty

Uses the idiom 'on par' to convey that they are at the same level of difficulty.

matching in rigor

Emphasizes the matching levels of rigor involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "equally hard" to compare the difficulty of two or more things, for example: "Both exams were "equally hard", making it difficult for students to prepare effectively."

What are some alternatives to "equally hard"?

Alternatives include phrases like "just as difficult", "similarly challenging", or "comparably tough", which all convey a similar meaning of comparable difficulty.

Is it correct to say "equally hard"?

Yes, the phrase "equally hard" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's suitable for expressing that two or more things share a similar level of difficulty.

What's the difference between "equally hard" and "very difficult"?

"Equally hard" is used to compare the difficulty between two or more items, whereas "very difficult" simply describes something that presents a high level of challenge on its own. For instance, "Solving this equation is "very difficult"" describes the equation itself, but "Solving both equations was "equally hard"" compares the challenge of solving two equations.