hard to beat

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to beat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is very difficult to surpass or outdo. For example: "Her talent for writing is hard to beat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

– is hard to beat.

Independent

Hard to beat for beauty!

Independent

That's pretty hard to beat".

The New York Times - Sports

That one's hard to beat.

The New York Times

Hard to beat all that.

University of California, Berkeley

We know we're hard to beat.

Independent

It's pretty hard to beat that".

The New York Times

She'll be very hard to beat".

Independent

"They are obviously hard to beat.

Independent

Hard to beat Oregon that way.

The New York Times - Sports

Those gains may be hard to beat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to beat" to emphasize the exceptional quality or performance of something, suggesting it is difficult to surpass.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "hard to beat" excessively in your writing. Over-repetition can diminish its impact and make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "difficult to surpass" or "tough to outdo".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to beat" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of quality or effectiveness. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts. It serves to highlight something exceptionally good or difficult to surpass.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to beat" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express that something is exceptionally good or difficult to surpass. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While effective, avoid overusing the phrase and consider incorporating synonyms to add variety to your writing. Use "hard to beat" to emphasize excellence, but be mindful of the overall tone and context to ensure the most impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to surpass

Emphasizes the challenge in exceeding a certain level or quality.

tough to outdo

Highlights the difficulty in exceeding someone or something in performance.

difficult to outshine

Focuses on the challenge of surpassing in brilliance or excellence.

a force to be reckoned with

Indicates a powerful entity that is difficult to compete against.

not easily surpassed

Suggests that something's superiority is well established.

unlikely to be bettered

Implies a low probability of finding something superior.

exceedingly challenging to overcome

Highlights the significant difficulty in defeating or surpassing something.

sets a high bar

Indicates that something establishes a challenging standard to reach.

in a league of its own

Indicates something is so good that it is incomparable.

takes some beating

Expresses that something is of very high quality and will be challenging to surpass.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to beat" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to beat" to describe something exceptional. For example, "The scenic beauty of the Amalfi Coast is "hard to beat"".

What are some alternatives to "hard to beat"?

Alternatives include phrases like "difficult to surpass", "tough to outdo", or "in a league of its own depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "hard to beat" or "difficult to beat"?

Both "hard to beat" and "difficult to beat" are acceptable, with very little difference in meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey. "Hard" tends to be slightly more informal.

When is it not appropriate to use the phrase "hard to beat"?

Avoid using "hard to beat" in very formal or technical contexts where more precise language might be required. In such instances, alternatives like "difficult to surpass" or "unlikely to be bettered" may be more fitting.