fairly hard

USAGE SUMMARY

'fairly hard' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the degree of difficulty of something, such as in the sentence: "The math quiz was fairly hard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The beds in the dorms are fairly hard".

The New York Times

He can be fairly hard to read sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps a couple, but you have to look fairly hard.

The Guardian - Business

We should probably take a fairly hard look at it".

The Guardian

MATERIAL A fairly hard limestone containing many shells and other inclusions.

Harvard University

MATERIAL Fairly hard limestone, but flawed with cleavage planes and cavities.

Harvard University

Sabathia threw the ball fairly hard Saturday, but his pitches were flat.

The New York Times - Sports

They came fairly hard on the heels of other lauded years like 2005 and 2000.

The New York Times - Food

The IMF, he says, will have to try fairly hard to give the appearance of change.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For Mr. Giurgola, this philosophy yields buildings that as a rule are fairly hard-edged and geometric.

The New York Times

Stuart Zeh, a management consultant from Glen Ridge, N.J., said he thought of himself as a fairly hard-charging personality.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly hard" to indicate a moderate level of difficulty or effort, striking a balance between "easy" and "very hard". This helps to set realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "fairly hard" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language such as "moderately challenging" or "somewhat demanding" to convey specific aspects of difficulty or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly hard" functions primarily as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or implied action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, and the examples provided show it typically describes a moderate degree of difficulty, intensity, or firmness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

11%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly hard" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a moderate level of difficulty or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, though it can also appear in academic and informal settings. When writing, consider whether a more precise term might be appropriate, especially in formal contexts. While acceptable across the board, nuanced alternatives can refine your message, substituting this term for options such as "moderately difficult" or "somewhat challenging". Be aware of the potential for overuse in formal writing and explore more specific descriptors to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately difficult

Replaces "hard" with a direct synonym for difficulty, adding clarity.

somewhat challenging

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" to soften the tone and suggests a stimulating difficulty.

reasonably tough

Uses "tough" as a synonym for "hard", providing a more colloquial feel.

comparatively strenuous

Replaces "hard" with "strenuous", emphasizing effort required.

quite demanding

Emphasizes the demands and requirements associated with the difficulty.

relatively arduous

Highlights the laboriousness and prolonged effort involved.

noticeably firm

Shifts the context towards physical hardness or resistance.

distinctly unyielding

Highlights a resistance to pressure or change.

somewhat rigid

Suggests a lack of flexibility, moving away from the general sense of difficulty.

markedly inflexible

Strongly emphasizes the lack of adaptability or compromise.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly hard" to describe something that requires moderate effort or is moderately difficult. For example, "The exam was "fairly hard", but I think I passed" or "He hit the ball "fairly hard"".

What are some alternatives to "fairly hard"?

Alternatives to "fairly hard" include "moderately difficult", "somewhat challenging", or "reasonably tough", depending on the specific context.

Is "fairly hard" too informal for academic writing?

While "fairly hard" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes be perceived as slightly informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "moderately difficult" or "somewhat demanding" in such contexts.

What is the difference between "fairly hard" and "very hard"?

"Fairly hard" indicates a moderate level of difficulty, while "very hard" suggests a significantly higher level. If something is "fairly hard", it requires some effort but is manageable. If it's "very hard", it presents a considerable challenge and may be difficult to overcome.