hard to refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to refuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is difficult to turn down or reject. For example: "The offer was too good - it was hard to refuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We find it hard to refuse people.

The Guardian

It's an offer that's hard to refuse.

The Guardian - Travel

The Kurds are very hard to refuse.

The New York Times

Invitations must have been hard to refuse.

The Guardian - Books

"It's hard to refuse the drug dealers," the rancher said.

Independent

Under Communism it was hard to refuse the Stasi.

Independent

When disaster strikes, it is hard to refuse to help.

The Economist

That is an offer that is hard to refuse.

The Economist

Aguilar can I talk to you?', it is very hard to refuse.

Yale University

His phone rang nonstop with such requests, and it was hard to refuse them all.

The New York Times

When the call came, Lord Hall found it hard to refuse.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an offer that's "hard to refuse", be specific about why it's so compelling. Detailing the benefits or unique aspects makes the statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to refuse" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "difficult to turn down" or "almost irresistible" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to refuse" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often 'offer', 'deal', or 'invitation'). It describes something that is very tempting or difficult to reject. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to refuse" is a versatile and common expression used to describe something that is very tempting or difficult to reject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and is also found in academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you vary your language to avoid overuse, and be specific about why something is so compelling. Alternatives like "difficult to turn down" or "almost irresistible" can add nuance to your writing. The phrase functions primarily as an adjective phrase, serving to highlight the persuasive nature of the subject it modifies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to turn down

Focuses on the act of declining, highlighting the challenge in rejecting the offer.

challenging to reject

Emphasizes the difficulty in dismissing or refusing something.

almost irresistible

Highlights the allure and attractiveness making it nearly impossible to decline.

compelling offer

Stresses the strength and persuasiveness of the proposition.

extremely tempting

Focuses on the attractiveness and allure making it hard to say no.

not easily rejected

Highlights the difficulty of dismissing or refusing something due to its appeal.

an offer one can't deny

Emphasizes the impossibility of refusal due to the attractiveness of the offer.

very persuasive

Focuses on the high level of inducement making it difficult to reject.

irresistible proposal

Emphasizes the allure and impossibility of resisting the presented plan or idea.

a proposition difficult to decline

Stresses the complexity of rejecting the suggestion or invitation.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to refuse" to describe something very tempting or difficult to reject. For example, "The job offer was so generous that it was "hard to refuse"".

What are some alternatives to "hard to refuse"?

Alternatives include "difficult to turn down", "almost irresistible", or "compelling offer". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard to refused" instead of "hard to refuse"?

No, "hard to refused" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "hard to refuse", using the base form of the verb after "to".

What makes something "hard to refuse"?

Something is "hard to refuse" when its benefits, value, or appeal are so strong that it's difficult to reject, often due to potential gains or avoided losses.