hard to tolerate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to tolerate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is unpleasant, annoying, or difficult. For example: "The noise outside my window was hard to tolerate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Wiesenthal found it hard to tolerate his critics.

The Guardian

However, Folfirinox is hard to tolerate and requires the patient to wear an infusion pump.

The New York Times

But many patients stop taking bisphosphonates because the drugs can be hard to tolerate.

The New York Times

Although hard to tolerate, there is a challenging insouciance about this work that's liberating.

The New York Times

His failure to avoid the water was a careless error, something he found hard to tolerate.

The New York Times - Sports

This kind of excess could be hard to tolerate in a Wall Street executive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Since then, Venezuela has grown steadily poorer.Poverty exposed the weakness of Venezuelan democracy, and made political corruption harder to tolerate.

The Economist

School became even harder to tolerate after the death, in 1980, of her grandmother Diana's second husband, Sir Oswald Mosley.

The New Yorker

Folfirinox appears to extend survival by a greater amount than Abraxane, but doctors say it is harder to tolerate and administer.

The New York Times

But it becomes harder to tolerate if the devolved administrations are seen to be using English cash to avoid painful reforms.The partial devolution of taxation powers, which will accelerate in the next few years, makes the problem bigger.

The Economist

One issue is that while it is perfectly comfortable when the weather is cold, on a warm summer's day the scarf-like design may be a bit harder to tolerate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to tolerate", consider the specific reason why something is difficult to tolerate. This will help you choose the most appropriate and impactful wording. For example, instead of saying "His behavior was hard to tolerate", you could say "His condescending behavior was hard to tolerate".

Common error

While "hard to tolerate" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in informal settings. Alternatives like "difficult to deal with" or "annoying" might be more suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to tolerate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree to which something is difficult to endure or accept. Ludwig AI identifies it as a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to tolerate" is a common and grammatically correct way to express difficulty in enduring or accepting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "hard to tolerate" and more formal or informal alternatives. Effective usage involves considering the specific reason for the difficulty and choosing the most precise wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to endure

Emphasizes the challenging nature of enduring something.

challenging to accept

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting a situation or behavior.

tough to stomach

Implies something is unpleasant and difficult to accept emotionally.

intolerable to bear

Highlights the unbearable nature of something.

onerous to put up with

Suggests a heavy burden associated with enduring something.

trying to abide

Indicates difficulty in abiding or complying with something.

testing to countenance

Focuses on the difficulty in countenancing or approving something.

demanding to accept

Highlights the demanding aspect of accepting an idea or situation.

unpleasant to experience

Describes the negative sensory or emotional experience associated with something.

uncomfortable to live with

Emphasizes the discomfort of coexisting with something.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to tolerate" to describe something unpleasant or difficult to endure. For example, "The loud construction noise was "hard to tolerate"."

What's a more formal way to say "hard to tolerate"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "difficult to endure" or "challenging to accept". For example, "The side effects of the medication were "difficult to endure"."

Which is correct: "hard to tolerate" or "difficult to tolerate"?

"Hard to tolerate" and "difficult to tolerate" are both correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What can I say instead of "hard to tolerate" to sound less negative?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not ideal" or "less than optimal" to soften the negative connotation. For example, "The situation was "less than optimal", but we managed to cope."