hard to withstand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to withstand" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is difficult or challenging to resist or endure. Example: The temptation to eat another piece of cake was hard to withstand, but I knew I needed to stick to my diet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's just that I'm going to have to work very, very hard to withstand it".

The New York Times - Sports

At this extreme, the temporal discontinuities of poetry, revving and slowing, are as hard to withstand as anything the weirdest visual art does to our sense of space.

The New Yorker

It must be hard to withstand the bias of medical professionals, people you trust most with your health and well-being, when you're pregnant and vulnerable.

The Washington Post

The chances are that the new chief whoever he is, will find it hard to withstand the political pressure that is bound to be brought on him over the Malegaon investigation.

The Guardian

Sale, who won the corresponding fixture 55-12 last season, are just the latest opponents to find Chiefs hard to withstand on days when they summon the requisite energy and intent.

The Guardian - Sport

Patients in the intensive care unit of a hospital are at risk, for example, because it's hard to withstand a combination of pain or infection, sedation, disrupted sleep and a disorienting environment.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

(Hot water contains much more energy than hot air, and so is harder to withstand at lower temperatures).

The New Yorker

(Hot water contains much more energy than hot air, and so is harder to withstand at lower temperatures). To prove that fat equals flavor, Kenji suggests forming three different lean-beef burger patties, with added fats from beef, lamb, and pork.

The New Yorker

Facing a warming trend that has halved the frozen season when oil exploration can occur, state officials said they had settled on a new way to decide when the tundra of the North Slope was hard enough to withstand convoys of heavy vehicles.

The New York Times

The results of hardness and friability tests denoted that the tablets were hard enough to withstand tablet handling during the study.

BioMed Research International

My grandmother brought out the cutting boards, crackers, knives and mallets my grandfather had fashioned from oak and walnut, which are hard enough to withstand the crab's steely shell.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to withstand", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty, as ambiguity can weaken the statement's impact. Use it to convey resilience or the limits thereof.

Common error

Avoid overusing "hard to withstand" for situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly challenging; reserve it for scenarios involving significant resistance or endurance tests to maintain its descriptive power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to withstand" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree of difficulty in resisting or enduring something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to withstand" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe something difficult to resist or endure. As shown by Ludwig's examples, its primary contexts include News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, indicating its suitability for conveying challenges or resilience in various scenarios. While interchangeable with alternatives like "difficult to endure" or "challenging to resist", it's important to consider the specific nuance when writing to ensure the best fit and the avoidance of overstatement in less challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to endure

Focuses on the difficulty in enduring or suffering through something.

challenging to resist

Emphasizes the difficulty in opposing or fighting against something.

tough to overcome

Highlights the strength needed to get past a certain obstacle.

hard to resist

Indicates a strong temptation or pressure that's difficult to deny.

difficult to tolerate

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting or putting up with something.

onerous to bear

Implies a heavy burden that is hard to carry or support.

formidable to defy

Highlights the significant challenge in opposing or disobeying something.

impossible to stomach

Indicates something is extremely unpleasant or unacceptable.

strenuous to confront

Emphasizes the effort required to face or deal with something.

unyielding to contain

Highlights the inability to restrict or control something.

FAQs

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

Use "hard to withstand" to describe something difficult to resist or endure. For instance, "The political pressure was "hard to withstand"".

What's a good alternative to "hard to withstand"?

Consider alternatives like "difficult to endure", "challenging to resist", or "tough to overcome" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "hard to withstand" or "difficult to withstand"?

Both "hard to withstand" and "difficult to withstand" are grammatically correct and interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, although "difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

In what contexts is "hard to withstand" most often used?

"Hard to withstand" is often used in contexts involving pressure, temptation, or challenging conditions, as seen in news articles, scientific reports, and business analyses.