hard decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard decision" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult choice between two options that have both pros and cons. For example, "I'm facing a hard decision about whether to stay in my current job or start a new career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's kind of a hard decision.

The New York Times

Q. Was that a hard decision?

The New York Times

"It's a hard decision, though".

The New York Times

It was a hard decision.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not a hard decision.

Yale University

It doesn't involve a single hard decision.

The New York Times

It had been a hard decision.

The New Yorker

"But it was a really hard decision".

The Guardian - Tech

"It's not a hard decision," Cox said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was a hard decision for him.

The New York Times - Sports

"It wasn't a hard decision," she said.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "hard decision", provide context to explain why the decision is difficult. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a decision is "hard" without explaining why. This can leave the reader wondering about the complexities involved. Instead, elaborate on the conflicting factors or potential consequences that make the decision challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard decision" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'hard' modifies the noun 'decision'. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing a difficult or challenging choice. It is frequently used across various contexts, as evidenced by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Sports

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard decision" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a choice that involves significant difficulty or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Sports. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, communicating the challenging nature of the decision-making process. When using "hard decision", providing context to explain the difficulty enhances clarity and impact. While alternatives like "difficult choice" or "tough call" exist, "hard decision" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively convey the complexities of challenging choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult choice

Replaces 'decision' with 'choice' and 'hard' with 'difficult', maintaining the same core meaning.

challenging decision

Substitutes 'hard' with 'challenging' to convey the difficulty.

tough call

Uses a more informal idiom to express the difficulty of the decision.

critical decision

Emphasizes the importance and potential impact of the decision.

complex choice

Replaces 'hard' with 'complex', suggesting intricacy rather than difficulty.

agonizing choice

Highlights the emotional distress associated with making the decision.

problematic choice

Highlights the potential negative consequences associated with the decision.

serious deliberation

Focuses on the thought process required to make the decision.

grave determination

Highlights the weightiness and solemnity of the decision.

momentous resolution

Emphasizes the significance of the outcome resulting from the decision.

FAQs

What does "hard decision" mean?

A "hard decision" refers to a choice that is difficult to make, usually because it involves weighing competing factors or dealing with undesirable outcomes. It implies that there is no easy or obvious solution.

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

You can use "hard decision" in a sentence like: "Choosing between two equally appealing job offers was a "hard decision"." Or "The company faced a "hard decision" regarding layoffs."

What are some synonyms for "hard decision"?

Synonyms for "hard decision" include "difficult choice", "tough call", and "challenging decision". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

What makes a decision "hard"?

A decision becomes "hard" when it involves complex considerations, conflicting values, or potential negative consequences. There may be no clear right or wrong answer, and the decision-maker must carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option.