hard to sever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to sever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, relationship, or connection that is difficult to break or separate. Example: "The bond between the two friends was so strong that it was hard to sever, even after years of distance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it's very, very hard to sever ties".

The New York Times

The Colombian government says it has been working hard to sever the remnants of ties between the armed forces and paramilitaries.

The New York Times

The Colombian government says it has been working hard to sever the remnants of ties between the armed forces and the paramilitaries and has been training its soldiers to observe international human rights conventions even during combat.

The New York Times

That means first discovering their needs, and working hard to sever their needs first, well before you put your asks of them on the table.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But the truth is that, once you take a relationship past the twenty-five-year point, attachments are liable to sneak up on you—attachments that often prove harder to sever than you might think.

The New Yorker

It pays to ask yourself if this is a conversation you're prepared to have when you go to unfriend someone or, even better, when your friendship is first requested – it's a lot harder to sever ties than it is to form them in the first place.

The Guardian

"The employer-employee bond is sometimes difficult to sever".

The New Yorker

After walking for a laundry list of fall shows, she says her favorite show in each European city was Burberry, Prada and Louis Vuitton: "Of course, because of the designs, but also because of the suspense - I found out only a couple of hours before each show that I was actually confirmed!" She walked so hard, in fact, she managed to sever a major tendon in her foot in Paris.

The New York Times

British teams could find it harder to sign top European players if the UK votes to sever ties with Brussels, Karren Brady has warned club chairmen.

The Guardian - Sport

As was the case for Blackwater and its descendents, it's hard to imagine what would have to transpire for the federal government to sever its contract with the company.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main effect plots for tool flank wear (VB) in Fig. 5 indicates that flank wear increases with cutting speed and feed, resulting in abrasion marks (see, Fig. 6) due to sever rubbing effect between tool flank and machined surface by hard carbide in steels, broken-away particles from the cutting edge (Chinchanikar & Choudhury 2015b).

Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to sever", consider the emotional weight of the situation. This phrase often implies a deep or meaningful connection that is not easily broken.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to sever" in situations where a simpler phrase like "difficult to end" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to sever" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the difficulty associated with ending or breaking a connection. Ludwig AI confirms this as the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to sever" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe connections that are difficult to break. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. While relatively rare, it finds its primary use in news and media, conveying the emotional or practical challenges involved in ending relationships or agreements. When writing, it's best to consider the emotional weight of the phrase and avoid overuse in casual contexts, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to break

Focuses on the challenge of breaking something, whether it's a bond or a physical object.

challenging to cut off

Highlights the effort required to terminate a relationship or connection.

tough to dissolve

Emphasizes the difficulty in ending an agreement or partnership.

not easy to end

Simplifies the sentiment, stressing the complexity of bringing something to a close.

hard to discontinue

Focuses on the effort needed to stop or cease something.

difficult to terminate

Emphasizes the formal or official nature of ending something.

not a simple matter to sever

Highlights the complexity and significance of the act of severing.

requires effort to break

Focuses on the amount of effort involved in breaking something.

presents difficulties in ending

Emphasizes the challenges and problems encountered when trying to end something.

proves complicated to dissolve

Highlights the intricate nature of dissolving a bond or relationship.

FAQs

What does "hard to sever" mean?

The phrase "hard to sever" means that something is difficult to cut off, break, or end. This can refer to relationships, connections, or any kind of bond.

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

You can use "hard to sever" to describe connections that are not easily broken, for example: "The bond between the two friends was so strong that it was "hard to sever", even after years of distance."

What can I say instead of "hard to sever"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to break", "challenging to cut off", or "tough to dissolve" depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to sever" and "hard to sever" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Hard" may be considered slightly more informal than "difficult".