hard to deny

USAGE SUMMARY

'hard to deny' is a correct and useful phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the difficulty of denying something that is generally accepted or apparent to be true. For example, "The evidence supporting climate change is hard to deny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard to deny".

The Guardian

This much is hard to deny.

Cognitive Systems Research

That would be hard to deny today.

The New York Times

"Today, it's hard to deny that statement".

The New York Times

And it's very hard to deny that.

The Washington Post

But my denial was hard to deny.

The New York Times

A bit florid perhaps, but hard to deny.

The Economist

But its initial power is hard to deny.

The New York Times - Arts

It's hard to deny him that (2 00).

The New York Times

But it's hard to deny that competition motivates.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He possesses a hard-to-deny eagerness to help and a tireless work ethic.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to deny" when you want to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint but emphasize the strength of the evidence or argument supporting your claim. It suggests a concession while reinforcing your position.

Common error

While "hard to deny" is widely acceptable, it can sound slightly formal or cliché in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't argue with that" or "that's true" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to deny" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated noun. It indicates the strength or obviousness of a fact or situation, making it challenging to refute. Ludwig AI highlights this through numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to deny" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge the compelling nature of a fact or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "hard to deny", consider your audience and the level of formality required. While suitable for most situations, simpler alternatives might be preferred in very casual settings. Remember, the goal is to convey the strength of your argument while acknowledging potential counterpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to dispute

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "deny" with "dispute", maintaining the meaning with slightly more formal vocabulary.

challenging to refute

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "deny" with "refute", suggesting a more active effort to disprove something.

undeniable

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective, emphasizing the impossibility of denying something.

impossible to dismiss

Focuses on the act of disregarding or rejecting something, rather than directly denying it.

difficult to ignore

Shifts the focus to the prominence or obviousness of something, making it hard to overlook.

cannot be refuted

Emphasizes the inability to disprove something, presenting a strong assertion of its truth.

patently obvious

Highlights the self-evident nature of something, making denial seem absurd.

clearly evident

Focuses on the visible or apparent nature of something, making it readily apparent.

plainly apparent

Similar to "clearly evident", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the obviousness.

readily apparent

Highlights the ease with which something can be noticed or understood.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to deny" to express that something is difficult to refute or dismiss due to strong evidence or general acceptance. For example, "The impact of the new policy is "hard to deny"."

What are some alternatives to "hard to deny"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to dispute", "impossible to dismiss", or "undeniable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it appropriate to use "hard to deny" in formal writing?

Yes, "hard to deny" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral and professional tone suitable for various contexts, including reports and academic papers.

What's the difference between "hard to deny" and "difficult to deny"?

The phrases "hard to deny" and "difficult to deny" are largely interchangeable. "Hard" and "difficult" are synonyms, so the choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.