hard to replicate

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to replicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult to reproduce. For example: "The intricate design of the sculpture makes it hard to replicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's hard to replicate".

The New York Times

It is hard to replicate, however.

The Economist

That may be hard to replicate.

The New York Times

But these clusters are hard to replicate.

The Economist

Such attributes are hard to replicate.

The Economist

"But it's hard to replicate that sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

And that advantage is hard to replicate.

The New York Times

But they were too hard to replicate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why is common sense so hard to replicate artificially?

University of California, Berkeley

It's so hard to replicate drug experiences effectively on screen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whatever the secret, others have found it hard to replicate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing unique qualities or processes, use "hard to replicate" to highlight their special characteristics. This emphasizes that these qualities are not easily duplicated or imitated.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to replicate" for everything. It's most impactful when referring to genuinely unique attributes or processes. Overuse diminishes its impact. Be specific about why something is difficult to replicate instead of just stating that it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to replicate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or concept. It describes the characteristic of something being difficult or impossible to reproduce accurately. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science & Research

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to replicate" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is difficult to reproduce or duplicate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives such as "difficult to duplicate" or "challenging to reproduce" exist, "hard to replicate" effectively conveys the intended meaning. To maximize its impact, use the phrase when referring to truly unique attributes or processes. The phrase exhibits a neutral-to-professional register and is commonly found in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to duplicate

Replaces "replicate" with the synonym "duplicate" while maintaining the same level of difficulty.

challenging to reproduce

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "replicate" with "reproduce", emphasizing the difficulty.

not easily reproduced

Uses a passive construction to convey the difficulty of reproduction.

difficult to emulate

Replaces "replicate" with "emulate", suggesting that the subject is difficult to imitate or match.

tough to recreate

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" and "recreate" instead of "replicate", indicating a similar degree of difficulty in creation.

not simple to duplicate

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in duplicating something.

presents replication challenges

Expresses the difficulty as a challenge related to replication.

unlikely to be copied

Focuses on the low probability of something being copied successfully.

inimitable

Uses a single word to convey that something cannot be imitated.

one-of-a-kind

Indicates that something is unique and therefore cannot be replicated.

FAQs

What does "hard to replicate" mean?

It means that something is difficult to reproduce or duplicate, often due to its complexity, unique characteristics, or specific conditions required for its creation.

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

You might say, "The artist's unique style makes his work "difficult to duplicate"" or "The company's innovative process is "challenging to reproduce" by competitors".

What are some alternatives to saying "hard to replicate"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to duplicate", "challenging to reproduce", or "not easily reproduced" depending on the context.

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

Both "hard to replicate" and "difficult to replicate" are correct and have very similar meanings. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey. "Difficult" is slightly more formal than "hard".