gets harder as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets harder as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that becomes increasingly difficult over time or with progression. Example: "The math problems get harder as you advance through the levels of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And it gets harder as it goes along".

The New York Times

"Travelling certainly gets harder as we get older.

The Guardian - Music

Cutting subsidies now would help them prepare for when borrowing gets harder as quantitative easing ends.

The Economist

"School isn't easy and it gets harder as they get older," Ms. Florin said.

The New York Times

The balancing act gets harder as America gets polarized and gaps in social class become chasms.

The Washington Post

Many young players memorise easily, but it gets harder as time goes on.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Because of the dwindling influx of registered nurses, it is getting harder, as well as more dangerous, for them and their patients.

The New York Times - Magazine

Things like making sure there were clean clothes got harder, as did organizing which friends had space for furniture and personal belongings.

Vice

It's getting harder as I get more known.

Independent

Birthday parties get harder as you get older.

Independent

Keeping going will get harder as the weather chills.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets harder as" to describe a gradual increase in difficulty, ensuring the context clearly indicates what the difficulty is related to. For instance, "The puzzle gets harder as you solve more clues" effectively conveys the increasing challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "gets harder as" without specifying the reason for the increasing difficulty. Saying "Life gets harder as you go on" is vague. Instead, specify the cause: "Life gets harder as responsibilities increase."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets harder as" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that the degree of difficulty increases in relation to another factor, often time or progression. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and its frequent occurrence in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets harder as" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote increasing difficulty in relation to another factor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its versatile nature allows it to be used across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. To ensure clarity, always specify the cause of the increasing difficulty. Alternatives like "becomes more challenging as" or "grows increasingly difficult as" can be used for semantic variation. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use "gets harder as" to convey a sense of escalating challenge or complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes more challenging as

Focuses on the challenging aspect rather than just the difficulty.

grows increasingly difficult as

Emphasizes the gradual increase in difficulty.

becomes progressively harder with

Highlights the stepwise nature of the increasing difficulty.

escalates in difficulty as

Suggests a rapid increase in difficulty.

presents greater challenges as

Focuses on the challenges that arise as something progresses.

becomes more strenuous as

Implies the increasing difficulty requires more effort.

turns into a greater struggle as

Highlights the effort and resistance involved.

evolves into a tougher situation as

Emphasizes the change in the overall situation.

the difficulty increases in proportion to

Formal alternative, that focuses on proportionality.

the challenge intensifies with

Highlights the intensifying nature of the challenge

FAQs

What does "gets harder as" mean?

The expression "gets harder as" signifies that something becomes more difficult or challenging as a particular condition changes or as time passes.

How can I use "gets harder as" in a sentence?

You can use "gets harder as" to describe a situation where the difficulty increases with a specific factor. For instance, "The game "gets harder as" you progress through the levels".

What are some alternatives to "gets harder as"?

Alternatives include phrases like "becomes more challenging as", "grows increasingly difficult as", or "escalates in difficulty as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "gets harder as"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it's widely used in English writing to describe increasing difficulty over time or with progression.