hard finds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard finds" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to difficult discoveries or items that are hard to locate, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "In the world of antique collecting, hard finds can often be the most valuable pieces."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The early chase in "A Good Day to Die Hard" finds McClane borrowing a chunky black Mercedes, launching it off a bridge, and landing on a car transporter, which he then drives down as if it were a hillside, crushing a Porsche and other prize possessions as he goes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Redemption is hard find.

Vice

Opposition is hard to find.

The Economist

It's hard to find".

The New York Times - Arts

Those are hard to find.

The New York Times

Jobs are hard to find.

The New York Times - Sports

Astronauts are hard to find.

The New York Times - Sports

Taxis are hard to find".

The New York Times

Some are hard to find.

The Economist

Very hard to find.

The New York Times

Hard to find words.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common and readily understood phrases such as "difficult to find" or "rare discoveries" instead of the less conventional "hard finds".

Common error

Avoid directly translating phrases from other languages into English if they result in awkward or uncommon expressions like "hard finds". Consider idiomatic alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard finds" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe items that are difficult to locate or discover. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is not a standard or common English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hard finds" is technically understandable, it's not a conventional or widely recognized English expression. Ludwig AI suggests that it is unusual. It attempts to describe items or discoveries that are difficult to locate, but more common and idiomatic alternatives like "difficult to find" or "rare discoveries" are generally preferred. Using these alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential awkwardness or misinterpretation. Therefore, it's best to avoid using "hard finds" in formal or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to find

Replaces "hard" with its direct synonym "difficult", resulting in a more common expression.

challenging to locate

Focuses on the difficulty of the process of locating something.

uncommon finds

Emphasizes the infrequency of the discoveries.

infrequent discoveries

Highlights the irregularity of the act of discovering something.

rare discoveries

Shifts the focus to the result of the finding, emphasizing rarity and discovery.

hard-to-come-by items

Uses a more descriptive and idiomatic expression for rarity.

elusive items

Describes items that are hard to catch or find.

rare commodities

Highlights that the discovery are precious and not abundant.

scarce resources

Highlights the scarcity, implying difficulty in finding due to limited availability.

difficult acquisitions

Focuses on the difficulty of the process of obtaining or acquiring something.

FAQs

What does "hard finds" mean?

The phrase "hard finds" is not a standard English expression. It could refer to discoveries that are difficult to locate or obtain, but it's better to use phrases like "difficult to find" or "rare discoveries".

What can I say instead of "hard finds"?

Alternatives include "difficult to find", "rare discoveries", or "uncommon finds". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "hard finds" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "hard finds" is an unusual phrasing and may sound awkward to native English speakers. It's generally preferable to use more common expressions.

What is the difference between "hard finds" and "difficult finds"?

Both phrases attempt to describe items that are challenging to locate. However, "difficult finds" is slightly more conventional and easily understood, although still less common than "difficult to find".