hard to legitimize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to legitimize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to justify or make acceptable in a particular context. Example: "The new policy was hard to legitimize given the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nightlife is also hard to legitimize, so the best parties and shows happen in a totally self-funded DIY manner.

Vice

"At the time," she has recalled, "all I could think about was that I knew they were trying really hard to legitimize an invasion, and they were willing to use this new intelligence to twist arms, perhaps blackmail delegates, so they could tell the world they had achieved a consensus for war".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We've been working hard over the last 18 months to legitimize a licensed peer-to-peer business model," Mr. Liubinskas said.

The New York Times

"When a doll's proportions are so off that the product descriptions warn she can't stand on her own, it's hard to find a way to legitimize her being on the shelves," Sager wrote in a blog post for The Stir. "No girl should ever look like Cleo De Nile.

Huffington Post

He made this sound like a casual matter, never raising the possibility of trying to obtain — as his predecessors all fought long and hard to do — a Security Council resolution to legitimize the war.

The New Yorker

It's not difficult for the industry to legitimize itself.

Vice

It's hard not to be bullish about a service that tries to legitimize services for the underbanked.

TechCrunch

But others said the event highlighted how hard it was to strike precisely the right balance between engaging authoritarian regimes and appearing to legitimize them.

The New York Times

We want to legitimize ourselves".

The New York Times

"This was a way to legitimize it".

The New York Times - Arts

"We do not want to legitimize what is illegitimate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to legitimize", consider the specific aspect that makes it difficult to legitimize something. Be explicit about the reasons behind the difficulty to enhance clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "hard to legitimize" may sound informal in certain formal or academic contexts. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "difficult to justify" or "challenging to validate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to legitimize" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the degree of difficulty in making something acceptable or valid. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts where justification is challenging.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to legitimize" is grammatically correct but infrequently used, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys the difficulty in making something acceptable or justifiable. While appearing in reputable news sources, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in certain contexts. Be mindful of the specific reasons contributing to this difficulty for clearer communication. Based on the available examples from Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for neutral registers, such as news reporting, but may require substitution with a more formal alternative when writing for academic or professional purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to justify

This alternative focuses on the lack of reasons or evidence to support something.

challenging to validate

This alternative highlights the difficulty in proving or confirming the correctness or reasonableness of something.

tough to defend

This emphasizes the difficulty in arguing in favor of something, especially against criticism.

difficult to rationalize

This suggests a struggle to find a logical explanation or excuse for something.

hard to warrant

This highlights the difficulty in providing sufficient justification or authorization.

problematic to endorse

Focuses on the difficulty in giving public approval or support.

nearly impossible to sanction

This emphasizes the near impossibility of giving official permission or approval.

awkward to promote

This suggests discomfort or unease in advocating or advertising something.

strenuous to advocate

This highlights the high effort to support or recommend something publicly.

laborious to vindicate

This emphasizes the long effort required to clear someone or something of blame or suspicion.

FAQs

What does "hard to legitimize" mean?

The phrase "hard to legitimize" means something is difficult to make legitimate, justifiable, or acceptable. It implies there are obstacles or reasons preventing something from being seen as valid or proper.

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to justify", "challenging to validate", or "tough to defend" depending on the context.

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

Example: "The new policy was hard to legitimize given the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness." Another example: "His actions were hard to legitimize after the scandal broke."

Is it better to say "difficult to legitimize" or "hard to legitimize"?

Both "difficult to legitimize" and "hard to legitimize" are grammatically correct, but "difficult" is generally considered more formal. Choose the word that best suits the tone and context of your writing.