harder and easier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harder and easier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two tasks or situations, indicating that one is more difficult while the other is less so. Example: "This math problem is harder than the previous one, but the next exercise is easier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The relative scarcity of goods makes it both harder and easier for Hamas to maintain control.

The New York Times

For emerging markets, going through their first gilded age while the West goes through its second one makes things both harder and easier.

The New York Times

If you're putting down money on a forecast instead of publishing a statistical model, your task is both harder and easier in certain respects.

The New York Times

Environmentalists say that fighting a state-owned ski resort can be both harder and easier than battling a private land owner.

The New York Times

It will be both harder and easier for new voices to be heard: harder because there are so many competing voices, but easier because there will be more ways than ever to find and attract an audience.

The Guardian

And it's harder (and easier to forget) on Android.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

On the basis that acting is kinda hard (and easier to spot), the researchers hypothesized that people would try to make things as natural as possible.

Huffington Post

"I have an overall philosophy and belief that we on tour should make the hard holes harder and the easy holes easier," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first experiment, two types of trials were intermixed randomly: hard and easy.

Cognitive Psychology

Experts and novices, as well as hard and easy items, were identified through a Rasch analysis.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

"It's going to be both hard and easy," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harder and easier", ensure the contrasting elements are clearly defined to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing. This helps the reader understand the specific aspects that are becoming more difficult versus those becoming simpler.

Common error

Avoid using "harder and easier" without providing specific context. Without clear reference points, the comparison becomes vague and confusing for the reader. Always specify what is becoming more difficult and what is becoming simpler.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harder and easier" functions as a comparative conjunction phrase, used to express contrasting levels of difficulty or effort required in different aspects of a situation or task. As seen in Ludwig, it's used in various contexts to indicate trade-offs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harder and easier" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to highlight contrasting elements of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. The phrase functions as a comparative conjunction, serving to present a balanced view by acknowledging that while one aspect becomes more challenging, another becomes more manageable. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide specific context when using "harder and easier", avoiding vagueness and enhancing understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more challenging yet simpler

Replaces "harder" with "more challenging" and "easier" with "simpler" offering a slightly more formal tone.

tougher but less complex

Substitutes "harder" with "tougher" and "easier" with "less complex" emphasizing the level of complexity involved.

more difficult however more straightforward

Uses "more difficult" and "more straightforward" for emphasis, introducing "however" to connect the contrasting elements.

increasingly strenuous yet conveniently manageable

Replaces "harder" with "increasingly strenuous" and "easier" with "conveniently manageable" heightening the contrast.

more arduous although more facile

Employs "more arduous" and "more facile" for a more sophisticated and somewhat archaic tone.

becomes more demanding but also more accessible

Focuses on the change in difficulty and accessibility, rather than a static comparison.

progressively taxing yet comfortably navigable

Suggests a sense of progression in difficulty, paired with ease of navigation.

more complicated though less intimidating

Shifts the focus to complication versus intimidation, rather than pure difficulty.

growing in intensity while shrinking in effort

Expresses the contrast as a shift in intensity and required effort.

more burdensome but more readily achievable

Highlights the contrast between the burden and the possibility of achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "harder and easier" in a sentence?

The phrase "harder and easier" is used to show a contrast in difficulty between two tasks or aspects of a situation. For example, "Learning a new language is harder than learning history, but finding resources is easier".

What are some alternatives to "harder and easier"?

You can use alternatives like "more challenging yet simpler", "tougher but less complex", or "more difficult however more straightforward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "harder and easier"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "harder and easier" correctly uses comparative adjectives connected by a conjunction to show contrasting levels of difficulty.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "harder and easier" in writing?

The phrase "harder and easier" is appropriate when you want to highlight a trade-off or contrast in difficulty. It's useful in situations where one aspect becomes more challenging while another becomes less so, providing a balanced perspective.