hard for

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult for a person to do or to have. Example: Learning a new language can be hard for some people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's hard for players.

Independent

It's hard for everybody.

The New York Times

I listened hard for gunshots.

The New York Times

It's still hard for me".

The New York Times - Magazine

We worked hard for Mumbai.

The New York Times

"This is hard for me".

The New Yorker

"So it's hard for him.

The New York Times

Worked hard for an hour.

The Guardian - Sport

It was hard for me.

The New York Times

Hard for eyes, and coughing.

The New York Times

"It is hard for people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard for" to express that something presents difficulties or challenges for a specific person or group. For example, "It's hard for me to understand the instructions."

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what the difficulty applies to. Avoid vague sentences like "Life is hard" by specifying, "Life is hard for many refugees."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard for" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is difficult or challenging for the specified entity. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard for" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate difficulty or challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective phrase expressing the degree of effort required by a specific entity. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "difficult for" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Ludwig's examples reveal its frequent use in News & Media, Formal & Business contexts. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying to whom or what the difficulty applies, avoiding vague statements. By varying your phrasing and being mindful of the context, you can effectively communicate the nuances of difficulty in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult for

This alternative is a direct synonym, simply replacing "hard" with "difficult".

tough for

This alternative is a more informal synonym for "hard".

not easy for

This alternative uses a negative construction to express the same idea.

challenging for

This alternative is similar but emphasizes the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

a struggle for

This alternative conveys a greater sense of effort and resistance.

is demanding for

This alternative describes something that requires significant effort and skill.

takes effort for

This alternative highlights the need for exertion to achieve something.

requires dedication for

This alternative emphasizes commitment and perseverance.

presents obstacles for

This alternative focuses on the barriers and impediments involved.

poses difficulties for

This alternative highlights the problems and complications that arise.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard for" to indicate that something is difficult for a specific person or group. For instance, "It's "hard for beginners" to grasp the concept of recursion".

What's a more formal way to say "hard for"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "difficult for" or "challenging for". These options maintain a similar meaning but sound more sophisticated.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "hard for"?

While grammatically sound, overuse might make your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "presents a challenge for" or "poses difficulties for" to enhance readability.

What's the difference between saying "hard for" and "hard on"?

"Hard for" indicates something is difficult for someone to do or understand. "Hard on", on the other hand, means something is harsh or stressful on someone or something, like "The constant criticism was "hard on him"".