hard agreements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard agreements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to agreements that are strict, firm, or difficult to negotiate or change. Example: "The company has established hard agreements with its suppliers to ensure quality and consistency in their products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The German delegations commuting between Berlin and Washington must produce hard agreements of how Germany and America are to treat each other in future.And beyond that?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While the Doha Declaration and Paragraph 6 decision were hard won agreements by public health advocates, Faunce asks to what extent the agreements are genuine commitments to improving access to medicines, or vaguely worded documents designed all along to give little away?

Globalization and Health

The Democratic candidate, H. Carl McCall, has dismissed the governor's moves on all three fronts as an attempt to create the appearance that he is trying hard for agreements without actually doing so.

The New York Times

This tapping would seem to violate two hard-fought agreements, concluded after 9/11, that gave the United States limited access to European financial and travel data.

The New York Times

(Amending the constitution is hard, requiring agreement by super majorities of both chambers and three-quarters of the states, an almost impossible hurdle for such a controversial idea).

The Economist

In November the leaders of the G20 group of big rich and emerging economies promised to eschew any new trade barriers for a year and to work hard for agreement on the Doha round of trade talks by the end of December.

The Economist

A8 NATIONAL A16-22 Hard-Fought Agreement On Water Sharing Signed Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton signed an agreement that ends one of the West's longest running water wars by requiring California to gradually reduce its dependence on the Colorado River, which acts as a spigot for snow melt from the Rocky Mountains for more than 25 million people.

The New York Times

Gov. Mark Dayton signed a hard-fought agreement to build the Minnesota Vikings a $975 million stadium at the downtown Minneapolis site of the team's current home, the Metrodome.

The New York Times - Sports

The A.F.L.-C.I.O reached a hard-fought agreement with business earlier this year on a program for future temporary low-skilled foreign workers, which is included in the Senate bill.

The New York Times

JUST over two years ago the ten members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations ASEANN) adopted a common charter with all the fanfare due a hard-fought agreement.

The Economist

Worst of all, it undermines a hard-fought agreement Democrats and Republicans made last August to set spending targets for 2013.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hard agreements", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for their strictness, such as legal requirements or critical business needs.

Common error

Avoid using "hard agreements" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it sounds overly formal and somewhat unnatural. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "solid plans" or "definite arrangements" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard agreements" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "agreements". It is used to describe agreements that are firm, strict, and often legally binding, emphasizing their rigidity and lack of flexibility. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard agreements" refers to agreements characterized by strictness and enforceability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while its relatively low frequency suggests it is not a common expression. It appears most often in news and scientific contexts, highlighting formal situations like business contracts or diplomatic negotiations. Consider alternatives like "binding agreements" or "firm agreements" to subtly adjust the nuance. When using "hard agreements", ensure the formality is fitting for your audience and purpose. Also, be careful about the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

binding agreements

This alternative emphasizes the legally enforceable nature of the agreements.

ironclad agreements

This suggests agreements that are extremely difficult to break or circumvent.

strict agreements

This alternative highlights the rigid and inflexible nature of the agreements.

firm agreements

This emphasizes the solid and unwavering nature of the agreements.

solid agreements

Similar to 'firm agreements', this highlights the stability and reliability.

robust agreements

This suggests agreements that are strong and resilient, able to withstand challenges.

legally binding agreements

This explicitly states the legal enforceability of the agreements.

non-negotiable agreements

This emphasizes the lack of flexibility or room for compromise in the agreements.

difficult agreements

Highlights the challenging negotiation process involved in reaching these agreements.

challenging agreements

This underscores the demanding nature of establishing these agreements.

FAQs

What does "hard agreements" mean?

The term "hard agreements" refers to agreements that are strict, firm, and often legally binding, leaving little room for flexibility or negotiation. They're designed to be robust and enforceable.

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

You can use "hard agreements" to describe the terms of a contract or a business deal. For example: "The company has established "binding agreements" with its suppliers to ensure consistent quality."

What are some alternatives to "hard agreements"?

Alternatives include "firm agreements", "strict agreements", or "ironclad agreements", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "hard agreements"?

It's best to use "hard agreements" in formal contexts such as legal documents, business contracts, or diplomatic negotiations where a high degree of certainty and enforceability is required.