hard but doable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard but doable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or challenge that is difficult but can still be accomplished with effort. Example: "The project is hard but doable, and with the right team, we can meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's hard but doable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sure, it's hard every place: hard but doable".

The New York Times

"They need to hear women role models talking about how their success was not 'luck,' but instead due to perseverance and hard, but doable work," said Ms. Shapiro.

The New York Times

Building an offshore development team that doesn't suck is hard, but doable.

TechCrunch

"Taking care of diabetes is hard, but doable.

Huffington Post

If you focus on goals that are hard but doable, psychology says you might trump your funk.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Okay, that's harder, but doable.

WikiHow

So far, reality series that deal with living in past eras have revealed that hard work is tough but doable for 21st-century time travelers.

The New York Times - Arts

This is difficult but doable.

The New York Times

It will be tough, but doable".

The New York Times

Mount Kenya is known as tough but doable for amateurs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting goals, frame them as "hard but doable" to manage expectations and motivate individuals. This approach is more effective than presenting tasks as either easy or impossible.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse in casual conversation where simpler synonyms like "challenging" or "possible" might suffice. Over-reliance can make your language sound repetitive or formulaic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard but doable" functions as a compound adjective. It is used to describe a task, goal, or situation that presents significant challenges but is still capable of being achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard but doable" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe tasks or goals that are challenging yet achievable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for various writing contexts. Its neutral register and common usage across news, media, and online guides make it a valuable expression for conveying realistic optimism. When considering alternative phrases, options like "challenging but achievable" or "difficult but possible" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging but achievable

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" and "doable" with "achievable", maintaining the same core meaning but with slightly different connotations.

difficult but possible

Substitutes "hard" with "difficult" and "doable" with "possible", offering a more straightforward and literal alternative.

tough but manageable

Employs "tough" instead of "hard" and "manageable" in place of "doable", suggesting the task requires resilience but can be controlled.

arduous yet feasible

Uses more formal synonyms, "arduous" for "hard" and "feasible" for "doable", increasing the sophistication of the language.

demanding but attainable

Replaces "hard" with "demanding", highlighting the effort required, and "doable" with "attainable", stressing the possibility of success.

laborious but viable

Employs "laborious" to emphasize the effort involved and "viable" to indicate the practical possibility of completion.

trying but within reach

"Trying" suggests a test of one's abilities, while "within reach" replaces "doable" to convey the sense of being close to achieving the goal.

complex but resolvable

Focuses on the intricate nature of the task by using "complex", and replaces "doable" with "resolvable", highlighting the potential for a solution.

onerous but accomplishable

"Onerous" implies a heavy burden, while "accomplishable" emphasizes the capability of achieving the task despite its difficulty.

challenging but not insurmountable

This alternative emphasizes that while the task is challenging, it is not impossible to overcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "hard but doable"?

When something is described as "hard but doable", it means that it requires significant effort and presents challenges, but it is still achievable with dedication and the right approach.

How can I use the phrase "hard but doable" in a sentence?

You can use "hard but doable" to describe a task, goal, or project. For example, "Completing the project by the deadline is "challenging but achievable" if we work efficiently."

Are there alternative phrases to "hard but doable" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "difficult but possible", "tough but manageable", or "challenging but not insurmountable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between saying something is "hard but doable" versus simply saying it is "challenging"?

Saying something is "hard but doable" acknowledges the difficulty explicitly while also emphasizing that it is achievable. Simply saying something is "challenging" only highlights the difficulty without necessarily implying that it is also feasible.