hard asks

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard asks" is a perfectly grammatical phrase in written English.
It is usually used to mean that someone is pursuing a difficult request, or asking for something that might be difficult or expensive to provide. For example, "My boss is making some hard asks of the team, so we've been working late a lot lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Do you get the feeling India aren't trying very hard?" asks Tom Carver.

The Guardian - Sport

"Why hit one pathway so hard?" asks Hassan.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Make a hard ask," one entry read.

The New York Times

But that's a hard ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"How hard?" asked Astrid Borgstedt, an assistant district attorney.

The New York Times

We'll work hard, ask questions and hopefully January will bring some reinforcements".

Independent

And, if accepting help is hard, asking for it is nearly impossible.

The New Yorker

Its a hard ask overcome Napoli and Marseille with their squad - even with super Özil.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a hard ask, and writers do not annotate their books in the normal course of events.

The Guardian - Books

They are putting up a good fight to be seen and listened to, but it's a hard ask.

TechCrunch

Finding these classmates shouldn't be too hard: ask the school's career services department, or just ask around, he suggested.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard asks", consider the audience and context. In formal settings, "demanding requests" or "challenging requests" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "hard asks" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "demanding requests" or "challenging objectives" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard asks" functions as a noun phrase where "hard" modifies the noun "asks". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the presence of demanding requests. Ludwig AI affirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard asks" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes difficult or challenging requests. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that alternative phrases like "demanding requests" may be more suitable for formal settings. By understanding its nuances, you can use "hard asks" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding requests

Focuses on the demanding nature of the requests.

difficult requests

Highlights the difficulty associated with fulfilling the requests.

challenging requests

Emphasizes the challenge posed by the requests.

tough requests

Similar to "hard", but with a slightly different connotation of difficulty.

stringent demands

Focuses on the strictness or rigor of the demands.

onerous tasks

Highlights the burdensome nature of the tasks being requested.

ambitious goals

Shifts the focus to the high level of ambition associated with the goals.

stretch goals

Implies that the goals require significant effort and exceeding normal capabilities.

aggressive targets

Highlights the forceful or assertive nature of the targets being set.

audacious requests

Emphasizes the boldness or daring nature of the requests.

FAQs

What does "hard asks" mean?

The phrase "hard asks" refers to requests or demands that are difficult or challenging to fulfill.

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

You might say, "The manager made some "hard asks" of the team, requiring them to work overtime".

Are there alternatives to using "hard asks"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "demanding requests", "difficult requests", or "challenging requests" depending on the context.

Is "hard asks" formal or informal?

The phrase "hard asks" leans towards being neutral, but in formal contexts, it's better to choose substitutes like "demanding requests" or "stringent demands".