hard to control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is difficult to manage or regulate. Example: "The new software has many features, but it can be hard to control without proper training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Watercolor is hard to control.

The Guardian - Books

They're pretty hard to control".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He'd be hard to control.

The Guardian - Books

"They were just too hard to control".

The New York Times

"It's hard to control the heat".

The Guardian

can make it hard to control.

The New York Times

"It was very hard to control".

The New York Times

"My mind is too hard to control.

The Guardian

It's hard to measure and hard to control.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Aristide said some Lavalas partisans were hard to control.

The New York Times

"It will be really hard to control the race.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or situations, use "hard to control" to convey the difficulty in managing or influencing them, such as "It's hard to control the narrative".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to control" when referring to tasks that are simply difficult or time-consuming but still manageable with effort. "Hard to control" implies a fundamental lack of ability to manage the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to control" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is difficult to manage or regulate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to control" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes something difficult to manage or regulate. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and whether alternatives like "difficult to manage" or "challenging to regulate" might be more appropriate. Avoid using it for situations that are merely difficult but still fundamentally manageable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncontrollable

A more direct synonym, stressing the complete lack of control.

difficult to manage

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge in managing something.

challenging to regulate

Focuses on the difficulty in regulating, suggesting a formal or systematic control.

difficult to contain

Focuses on the challenge of keeping something within certain limits or boundaries.

unwieldy to handle

Highlights the awkwardness or lack of ease in dealing with something.

defies regulation

Suggests that something actively resists being controlled or regulated.

resistant to influence

Emphasizes the inability to change or affect something's behavior or outcome.

eludes management

Implies that something is able to escape or avoid being managed.

out of hand

Indicates a situation that has escalated beyond the point of being manageable.

imposes difficulties in controlling

Highlights the difficulty in control due to some features or nature of the subject

FAQs

What does "hard to control" mean?

The phrase "hard to control" describes something or someone that is difficult to manage, regulate, or restrain. It suggests a significant challenge in maintaining command or influence.

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

You can use "hard to control" to describe various situations. For example: "The spread of misinformation online is "difficult to contain"", or "His emotions were "resistant to influence" when he was angry."

What can I say instead of "hard to control"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to manage", "challenging to regulate", or "uncontrollable" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "difficult to control" instead of "hard to control"?

Yes, "difficult to control" and "hard to control" are often interchangeable. "Difficult" might sound slightly more formal, but both convey the same basic meaning.