hard to solve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hard to solve' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a problem or puzzle that is difficult to work out. For example, "The math problem was hard to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These problems — they're very hard to solve.

The New York Times

Too big to fail sometimes seems too hard to solve.

The Economist

"He's been working hard to solve the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a problem politicians tend to ignore, because it is fiendishly hard to solve.

The Economist

These are problems these are very hard to solve, all right?

The New York Times

"Both he and Mr. Rouhani will try hard to solve this matter," Mr. Nicoullaud said.

The New York Times

"Everyone realized it was an issue and we all worked very hard to solve it.

The New York Times

What Poincaré did manage to understand, though, was why it is so hard to solve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I didn't really try that hard to solve it, but I had no luck either way".

Independent

"And his design is really hard to solve, because they are essentially winged cucumbers".

The New Yorker

"It's hard to solve a problem you don't understand," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a problem, specify what makes it "hard to solve". Providing context helps the reader understand the complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to solve" for problems that are self-evidently simple. Overusing it can dilute the impact of the phrase when describing genuinely complex issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to solve" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (problem, issue, etc.). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing its role in describing the difficulty associated with finding solutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to solve" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe problems or situations that present significant challenges in finding a solution. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including scientific publications, news articles, and business communications. While versatile, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in simplistic contexts and providing specific details about what makes a problem particularly challenging. Alternatives like "difficult to resolve" or "challenging to solve" can offer nuanced variations. Its widespread usage across reputable sources reinforces its reliability and appropriateness in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to resolve

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "solve" with "resolve", maintaining the core meaning.

challenging to solve

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of finding a solution.

tough to solve

Replaces "hard" with "tough", indicating a demanding or strenuous solving process.

not easy to solve

Uses a negative construction to express the difficulty, highlighting the absence of ease.

difficult to figure out

Replaces "solve" with "figure out", focusing on the cognitive aspect of understanding the problem.

intricate to solve

Substitutes "hard" with "intricate", emphasizing the complex and detailed nature of the problem.

complicated to solve

Replaces "hard" with "complicated", highlighting the complex nature of the problem.

presents a challenge to solve

Rephrases to emphasize the challenging nature of the solving process.

requires significant effort to solve

Focuses on the effort needed, highlighting the demanding solving process.

demands careful consideration to solve

Emphasizes the need for careful and thoughtful problem-solving.

FAQs

What does "hard to solve" mean?

The phrase "hard to solve" describes a problem, puzzle, or situation that presents significant difficulty in finding a resolution or solution. It implies that substantial effort, skill, or understanding is required to overcome the challenge.

Which is more appropriate, "difficult to solve" or "hard to solve"?

Both "hard to solve" and "difficult to solve" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, with "hard" being slightly more informal than "difficult".

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

You can use "hard to solve" to describe various problems. For example, "Climate change is a very hard to solve issue", or "The math problem was hard to solve without using advanced formulas".

Are there alternative phrases I can use instead of "hard to solve"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "challenging to solve", "tough to solve", or "difficult to resolve" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.