find it hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

"find it hard to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when describing the difficulty of doing something. Example: I find it hard to concentrate with all of the noise in the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll find it hard to forget.

The New York Times - Books

I find it hard to disagree.

The Guardian - Books

They do find it hard to . ..".

The New Yorker

I find it hard to understand.

The Guardian

I find it hard to enjoy reproductions.

The Guardian - Arts

People find it hard to understand".

The Guardian

Communities find it hard to dig out.

The New York Times

Inevitably, we find it hard to care.

The Guardian

I find it hard to let go".

The New Yorker

"Honestly, I find it hard to believe.

The Guardian

I find it hard to take".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "find it hard to" to express a subjective experience of difficulty. This phrase is best suited when describing personal feelings or opinions about the ease or difficulty of an action or task.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "find it hard to" can sound too informal for academic writing or high-level business reports. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "experience difficulty with" or "encounter challenges in" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find it hard to" functions as a subjective expression of difficulty. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to describe the difficulty of doing something. Examples show that this phrase introduces a personal assessment of how challenging an action or task is.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "find it hard to" is a versatile phrase used to express personal difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic settings. While appropriate for general use, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional or academic contexts. Remember to use it to convey a subjective experience and choose more formal synonyms for elevated writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it challenging to

Highlights the demanding nature of the task.

struggle to

Focuses on the effort involved in overcoming difficulty.

it is a struggle to

Emphasizes the laborious effort required.

have difficulty in

More formal way of expressing the challenge.

it's difficult for me to

Shifts the focus to personal experience of difficulty.

have a hard time

An idiomatic alternative that emphasizes the unpleasantness of the difficulty.

have trouble with

More informal, suggesting a specific problem.

experience difficulty with

A more formal and detached way of describing the problem.

can't easily

Indicates a lack of ease in performing an action.

encounter obstacles when

Highlights the impediments faced when attempting something.

FAQs

What does "find it hard to" mean?

The phrase "find it hard to" expresses that someone experiences difficulty or struggles with a particular task or action. It's a common way to articulate personal challenges.

Which is more formal, "find it hard to" or "have difficulty with"?

"Have difficulty with" is generally considered more formal than "find it hard to". In formal writing, it might be preferable to use "have difficulty with".

How can I rephrase "find it hard to" to sound more professional?

To sound more professional, consider using phrases like "encounter challenges in", "experience difficulty with", or "find it challenging to". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "I am finding it hard to"?

Yes, "I am finding it hard to" is grammatically correct and uses the present continuous tense. It suggests that the difficulty is ongoing or temporary. It carries a slightly different nuance than "I find it hard to", which expresses a more general or habitual difficulty.