hard enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of difficulty or intensity that meets a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The exam was hard enough to challenge even the most prepared students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Golf is hard enough.

The New York Times

One is hard enough.

The New York Times

"Teaching is hard enough".

The New York Times

That was hard enough.

The Economist

He tried hard enough.

The Economist

"Just winning is hard enough.

The Economist

"I didn't look hard enough".

The New York Times

It's hard enough for women.

Independent

It is hard enough to….

The New Yorker

We didn't look hard enough.

The New Yorker

It's hard enough for families".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or requirement is being met. For example, "The test was hard enough to differentiate between excellent and good students."

Common error

Avoid using "hard enough" without specifying what the subject is hard for. Be specific: instead of "Life is hard enough", specify "Life is hard enough for single parents."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is difficult. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs or adjectives to express that a certain threshold of difficulty or effort is met. According to Ludwig AI it is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier to indicate a sufficient level of difficulty or effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in many contexts. Its prevalence in news and media sources, alongside its neutral register, makes it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. To ensure clarity, specify what the subject is hard for. While there are numerous semantically related alternatives, such as "sufficiently difficult" or "challenging enough", "hard enough" remains a concise and effective way to express that a certain threshold has been met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding enough

Indicates that the demands are at a satisfactory or sufficient level.

sufficiently difficult

This alternative emphasizes that the difficulty reaches an adequate level.

intense enough

This suggests that the level of intensity is sufficient for the purpose.

adequately challenging

This phrase highlights that the challenge is suitable or appropriate for the situation.

severe enough

Indicates that the level of severity has reached a certain necessary point.

challenging to a sufficient degree

It specifies that the challenge is present and at a satisfying level.

sufficiently strenuous

Implies that the effort required is adequately demanding.

tough to a satisfactory extent

Emphasizes that the level of toughness meets an acceptable standard.

difficult enough to manage

Focuses on whether the difficulty is at a manageable degree.

quite hard

A more straightforward alternative, focusing on the degree of hardness.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard enough" to describe something that meets a certain level of difficulty or intensity. For example, "The exam was "challenging enough" to test even the best students."

What are some alternatives to "hard enough"?

Alternatives to "hard enough" include "sufficiently difficult", "challenging enough", or "intense enough", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard enough"?

Yes, "hard enough" is grammatically correct and widely used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in numerous contexts.

What does "hard enough" mean?

"Hard enough" means that something meets a certain level of difficulty, intensity, or effort required for a particular situation or purpose. It implies that the difficulty is adequate for the task at hand.