finding it hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

"finding it hard to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express difficulty in completing a task. For example: "I'm finding it hard to finish this project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm finding it hard to find anyone obfuscating about this".

The New York Times

But he's finding it hard to find political backing.

The Guardian

Aged 56, he was finding it hard to find work.

The Guardian - Business

Yet the price has shot up and wholesale buyers are finding it hard to find suppliers.

The Economist

"Young love is finding it hard to find visibility.

BBC

The foundation is finding it hard to raise its €3m ($4m) annual budget.

The Economist

But the tiny Oxford outfit is finding it hard to gain credibility to match its stridency.

The Economist

You're finding it hard to walk".

The New Yorker

I'm finding it hard to breathe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's finding it hard to balance everything.

The New York Times

He's finding it hard to cope.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing general difficulty, consider stronger synonyms like "impossible" or "unfeasible" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "finding it hard to" when referring to verifiable facts. For instance, instead of saying "Scientists are finding it hard to disprove gravity", use "Scientists have been unable to disprove gravity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finding it hard to" functions as a verb phrase expressing difficulty or struggle in performing an action or experiencing a certain situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, and the examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finding it hard to" is a versatile phrase used to express difficulty or struggle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal settings. While synonyms like "struggling to" or "having difficulty" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning can enhance your writing. Remember to avoid using it for objective statements and leverage its power to convey personal experiences of challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding it difficult to

This simply replaces "hard" with its synonym "difficult".

not finding it easy to

This uses a negative construction to express the difficulty.

struggling to

This alternative emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved.

having difficulty

This option is a more formal way of expressing the same sentiment.

having a hard time

This alternative uses a slightly more informal tone.

unable to easily

This focuses on the lack of ease in performing the action.

challenged by

This option frames the situation as a test or challenge.

encountering challenges in

This is a more formal and sophisticated way to express difficulty.

facing obstacles in

This suggests there are impediments preventing success.

grappling with

This implies a more intense struggle or effort.

FAQs

How can I use "finding it hard to" in a sentence?

You can use "finding it hard to" to describe a personal struggle or difficulty with something, like "I'm finding it hard to concentrate today".

What's a more formal alternative to "finding it hard to"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "having difficulty" or "encountering challenges in".

Is it correct to say "finding it hardly to"?

No, "finding it hardly to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "finding it hard to".

What's the difference between "finding it hard to" and "struggling to"?

"Finding it hard to" implies a general sense of difficulty, while "struggling to" suggests a more active and intense effort to overcome a challenge.