hard practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard practice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is difficult to do and takes a lot of effort. For example: "I know if I put in the hard practice I'll eventually get better at this skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"No predictions," Drury said Friday after a hard practice, his seventh straight day of skating.

The New York Times

A hard practice means pain: legs burning, arms numb, lungs afire.

The New York Times - Sports

You can improve so much from hard practice, training and putting in the hours yourself.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have to work hard, practice right-and-left-handed hook shoots, counter moves.

The New York Times - Sports

Archives|LIGHT WORK FOR WESLEYAN.; Varsity Will Get Down to Hard Practice for Amherst Today.

The New York Times

LIGHT WORK FOR WESLEYAN.; Varsity Will Get Down to Hard Practice for Amherst Today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Like actors intent on winning an Oscar for their performance in a film, you must be willing to work hard -- "practice, practice, practice" -- at improving your knowledge, skills, and attitude about what you do all, not just some, of the time.

Huffington Post

"He's going out, he's playing hard, practicing hard each and every day.

The New York Times - Sports

"They hit particularly hard practices in rural, inner-city and border Texas".

The New York Times

"We've had some hard practices, longer than normal," said Zach Parise, the Devils' captain.

The New York Times - Sports

Page 11 TEIXEIRA RELEARNS BUNTING Mark Teixeira acknowledges that he works hard practicing bunting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard practice" to emphasize the dedication and effort required to improve a skill or achieve a goal. It's suitable when highlighting the difficulty and commitment involved.

Common error

While "hard practice" is generally understood, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical exertion or mental dedication. If the context is ambiguous, consider alternatives like "rigorous training" or "intensive study" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard practice" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "practice". It describes the nature of the practice, emphasizing its difficulty and intensity. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard practice" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe dedicated and strenuous effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While generally neutral, choosing alternatives like "rigorous training" or "intensive study" may be more appropriate for highly formal settings. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing to avoid misinterpretations of the intended meaning. The provided examples and related phrases should help you use "hard practice" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rigorous training

Focuses on the intensity and strictness of the training regimen.

intensive rehearsal

Emphasizes the thorough and concentrated nature of the preparation.

dedicated training

Highlights the commitment and focus involved in the training process.

strenuous workout

Replaces "practice" with a more physical term, emphasizing the physical exertion.

demanding drill

Uses "drill" to suggest repetitive exercises and "demanding" to indicate difficulty.

arduous preparation

Emphasizes the difficult and taxing nature of the preparation.

tough workout

Synonymous replacement using “workout” instead of “practice”.

intense training

Focuses on the high level of intensity and concentration in the training.

grueling session

Replaces both words focusing on the difficulty of a single event.

diligent study

Shifts the context to academic or intellectual pursuits, emphasizing careful and persistent learning.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard practice" to describe the effort put into improving a skill, such as: "With "hard practice", you can master any instrument."

What are some alternatives to "hard practice"?

Alternatives to "hard practice" include "rigorous training", "intensive rehearsal", or "dedicated training" depending on the specific context.

Is "hard practice" formal or informal?

"Hard practice" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, alternatives like "intensive preparation" may be preferred.

What does "hard practice" mean?

"Hard practice" refers to the dedicated and strenuous effort put into improving a skill or achieving a goal. It emphasizes the difficulty and commitment involved in the process.