even harder

USAGE SUMMARY

"even harder" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is getting more difficult than it already was. For example: "She worked even harder in order to get the job done faster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now try even harder.

The New York Times

Talking is even harder.

The New York Times

Ruchika took it even harder.

The New York Times

Other options are even harder.

The Economist

Now it is even harder".

The New York Times

Republicans pressed even harder.

The New York Times

Even harder to understand.

The New York Times - Arts

That's even harder.

The New Yorker

"Keep working even harder".

The Guardian - Sport

Now Missouri is even harder to call.

The Economist

It was even harder than I imagined.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even harder" to clearly indicate a comparative increase in difficulty or effort, ensuring the context provides a clear reference point for the initial level of difficulty. For example: 'Climbing the mountain was hard, but descending was "even harder"'.

Common error

Avoid using "even harder" with adjectives that do not inherently imply a degree or scale. For example, it's incorrect to say 'The rock was even harder' if there's no prior mention of rocks with varying hardness. Instead, establish a baseline for comparison first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even harder" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to intensify the degree of difficulty, effort, or intensity of an action or situation relative to a previous state. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even harder" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that intensifies the degree of difficulty or effort compared to a previously mentioned situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's appropriate for both formal and informal writing, but ensure a clear point of comparison exists. Remember to avoid using it with non-comparative adjectives. Common alternatives include "still more difficult" or "increasingly challenging". Its prevalence in sources such as The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian indicates its acceptability in professional and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still more difficult

Emphasizes the continuing state of difficulty with a different phrasing.

increasingly challenging

Highlights the growing nature of the challenge.

even more strenuous

Focuses on the increased effort required.

yet more demanding

Similar to "even harder" but uses 'demanding' to specify the degree of difficulty.

considerably tougher

Indicates a significant increase in toughness.

markedly more complex

Highlights the rise in complexity of something.

appreciably more arduous

Uses a more formal word ("arduous") to convey the increase in difficulty.

all the more taxing

Emphasizes the draining nature of the increased effort.

extraordinarily more involved

Indicates that an issue is now exceptionally more complex.

noticeably trickier

Focuses on the increased subtlety and skill required.

FAQs

How can I use "even harder" in a sentence?

"Even harder" is used to show that something is more difficult than something else already mentioned. For example, "The first test was difficult, but the second one was "even harder"".

What phrases are similar to "even harder"?

Phrases with a similar meaning to "even harder" include "still more difficult", "increasingly challenging", or "even more strenuous".

When is it appropriate to use "even harder" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "even harder" when you want to emphasize that something is not just difficult, but comparatively more difficult than something previously mentioned or implied. Make sure there's a clear point of comparison in your writing.

What's the difference between "even harder" and "harder"?

"Harder" simply indicates a higher degree of difficulty, while "even harder" implies that the difficulty is increased relative to something already challenging. "This exam was harder than the last" vs. "This exam was already difficult, and the next section was "even harder"".