hard to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to obtain, achieve, or protect. Example: "The funding for the project has proven to be hard to secure, despite our best efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Consent" is not hard to secure.

The New York Times

"However, power purchase agreements have been hard to secure".

The New York Times - Science

Some work especially hard to secure the spot.

The New York Times

American officials had pressed hard to secure a breakthrough for the TPP.

The Economist

So Sky will fight hard to secure the next batch of rights to live premiership soccer.

The Economist

But the authorities have found it hard to secure enough evidence to bring cases.

The Economist

Stephen Harper, the Canadian Prime Minister, admitted it would be hard to secure President Putin's support.

Independent

Hard to draft, hard to enforce, hard to secure support from central European countries.

Independent

Planning permission often proves hard to secure, even on sites beside ugly six-lane highways.

The Economist

The Museum of Arts and Design has worked long and hard to secure a new home.

The New York Times - Arts

Without a full treaty renegotiation, he might find it hard to secure significant reforms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hard to secure", ensure the context clearly indicates what is difficult to obtain or protect. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to secure" without specifying the object or goal. Be specific about what is difficult to obtain or protect, such as "funding" or "permissions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to secure" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the difficulty associated with obtaining or protecting something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe challenges in securing funding, agreements, or support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to secure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the difficulty in obtaining or safeguarding something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "difficult to obtain" or "challenging to acquire" exist, "hard to secure" remains a versatile and widely understood choice. When using this phrase, specificity is key to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to obtain

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "secure" with "obtain", focusing on the act of getting something.

challenging to acquire

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "secure" with "acquire", suggesting a demanding acquisition process.

not easily attainable

Emphasizes the lack of ease in reaching a desired outcome.

tough to come by

Uses a more informal tone to convey scarcity and difficulty in finding something.

requires significant effort to ensure

Highlights the need for substantial effort to guarantee something.

presents difficulties in guaranteeing

Focuses on the difficulties associated with assuring something.

not straightforward to safeguard

Indicates that protecting something is complex and not simple.

it's an uphill battle to ensure

Uses a figurative expression to describe a challenging struggle to guarantee something.

securing is an arduous task

Highlights the difficulty and laboriousness of the securing process itself.

not a simple matter to assure

Emphasizes the complexity involved in assuring or guaranteeing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to secure" to describe something that is difficult to obtain or achieve, such as "Funding for the project has been "hard to secure"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "hard to secure"?

Alternatives include "difficult to obtain", "challenging to acquire", or "not easily attainable", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "difficult to secure" instead of "hard to secure"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "difficult to secure" may be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard to secure". The choice depends on the specific context and audience.

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

It means that obtaining, achieving, or protecting that thing requires significant effort and may not be easily accomplished.