hard to live

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to live" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, condition, or lifestyle that is difficult to endure or manage. Example: "Living in a city with high crime rates can be hard to live with for many residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're so hard to live without!

The New York Times

Your so hard to live without.

The New York Times

"It's hard to live here now.

The New York Times

It's hard to live a double life".

The Guardian

"It's hard to live with, even now".

The New Yorker

"It's hard to live without," he said.

The New York Times - Food

It's hard to live any other way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's hard to live through a renovation," she said.

The New York Times

"It was hard to live with me being me".

The New York Times - Magazine

Some Mormons find the rules hard to live by.

The Economist

The Life Is it hard to live and work together?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to live" to describe personal challenges or emotional states that make daily life difficult. For example, "It's hard to live with chronic pain".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to live" without specifying the cause of the difficulty. Saying "Life is hard to live" lacks context. Instead, clarify what makes it difficult: "Life is hard to live when you lack access to basic resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to live" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying an implied or stated subject. It describes a state or situation that presents significant challenges to existence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to live" is a versatile expression used to describe situations or conditions that present significant challenges to daily life. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used. It is commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. The phrase primarily functions to convey difficulties and hardships. For enhanced clarity, it's advisable to specify what makes a situation "hard to live", avoiding vague generalizations. Alternatives include "difficult to survive" or "challenging to exist", depending on the specific meaning you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to survive

This alternative focuses on the basic requirements for continuing to exist, implying a struggle for survival.

challenging to exist

This alternative emphasizes the difficulties faced in simply existing or being present.

tough to get by

This phrase highlights the struggle to manage daily life and meet basic needs.

not easy to manage

This alternative suggests difficulties in controlling or handling a particular situation or lifestyle.

a struggle to subsist

This phrase emphasizes the effort required to maintain a minimal standard of living.

demanding to maintain

This alternative points to the high effort and resources needed to keep something in a stable condition.

complicated to navigate

This phrase suggests difficulties in understanding or dealing with complex systems or situations.

laborious to endure

This alternative highlights the exhausting nature of tolerating or withstanding something.

testing to put up with

This phrase focuses on the challenging aspect of tolerating a difficult situation or person.

trying to cope with

This alternative emphasizes the effort required to deal with or overcome difficulties.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "hard to live"?

When something is described as "hard to live", it means it presents significant challenges, difficulties, or hardships that make daily life or existence difficult to manage or endure.

What are some situations where it might be "hard to live"?

It might be "hard to live" in situations like experiencing chronic illness, living in poverty, facing political instability, or dealing with constant discrimination. Each of these scenarios presents unique and significant challenges.

Can I use other phrases instead of saying "hard to live"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "difficult to survive", "challenging to exist", or "tough to get by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard to live"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "hard to live" is a usable and correct phrase in written English, employed to describe situations that are difficult to endure or manage.