hard to render

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to render" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to express, depict, or produce, often in artistic or technical contexts. Example: "The emotions in the scene were so complex that they were hard to render accurately in the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The accountant, her face red, tried very hard to render herself invisible.

The New York Times

There are potentially significant gaps and doubts in a story she strives hard to render as a polished whole.

The Guardian - Books

Currently there is one abortion clinic in Mississippi, and Gov. Phil Bryant, a former deputy sheriff, is working hard to render it inoperable.

The New York Times - Magazine

This last innovation may have been designed to delight anthologizers and frustrate them, too, because it makes hip-hop hard to render in print.

The New Yorker

Neither chamber's version is adequate to fix the problems that led to the financial meltdown, and the banking lobby is working hard to render them even less effective.

The New York Times

I don't think there was anything especially challenging about placing the story in a chalgoteka: it's hard to render any setting in a way that feels immersive.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Living organic things are much harder to render in 3-D realistically than something like cardboard". Pixar's early films faced a similar challenge: there's a reason they're about toys, cars, and things with exoskeletons.

The New Yorker

"Tragically, the blow is not hard enough to render the poor animals unconscious for long.

The New York Times

According to the report, he got so angry that he threw the family cat against the wall hard enough to render it unconscious.

The New Yorker

You might think this would be a hard movie to render dull, yet dull and confused it is, leaving even Denise Richards almost sexless and undistracting.

The New Yorker

What is the hardest flower to render into jewelry?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual representations, use "hard to render" to specifically highlight the technical or artistic difficulty in creating an accurate or compelling depiction.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to render" when describing abstract concepts that are difficult to understand. Instead, opt for phrases like "difficult to grasp" or "challenging to comprehend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to render" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is difficult to depict or express. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to render" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the difficulty of depiction or expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts and less common in more formal settings. Consider using alternative phrases such as "difficult to depict" or "challenging to portray" for similar meanings. Be mindful to reserve it for cases where the emphasis is on visual representation or tangible expression rather than abstract concepts. The examples show the expression can be used to describe anything from the depiction of feelings to the technical aspects of rendering files or code.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to depict

This alternative focuses on the challenge of visually representing something.

challenging to portray

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in accurately representing something.

tough to illustrate

This alternative highlights the problem of providing a clear example.

not easy to express

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in verbalizing or communicating something.

difficult to execute

This suggests that the realization or implementation of something poses significant obstacles.

tricky to achieve

This emphasizes the complexity of attaining a specific goal or outcome.

complex to create

This highlights the intricate nature of the production or formation process.

onerous to produce

This implies that significant effort or resources are required for production.

formidable to accomplish

This suggests that something requires considerable effort and skill to achieve.

demanding to represent

This emphasizes that the depiction of something requires high accuracy and detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to render" to describe something challenging to depict or express. For example, "The complexity of the landscape made it "hard to render" accurately in a painting."

What are some alternatives to "hard to render"?

Alternatives include "difficult to depict", "challenging to portray", or "not easy to express" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to render" instead of "hard to render"?

Yes, "difficult to render" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "hard to render". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of something being challenging to express or depict.

When is it appropriate to use "hard to render" over other similar phrases?

Use "hard to render" when specifically referring to the difficulty in depicting something visually or expressing something complex in a tangible form. Other phrases might be more appropriate for abstract concepts.