harder for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harder for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the difficulty of a task or situation for a specific person or group. Example: "The new regulations make it harder for small businesses to compete in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's harder for the crew.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's much harder for me.

Independent

Train harder, for example.

The Guardian - Sport

It's harder for me to travel.

The New York Times

That would make life harder for trolls.

The Economist

It is harder for them to save.

The New York Times

"It is harder for young adults.

The New York Times

It's much harder for the fans".

The New Yorker

But populists make life harder for everyone.

The Economist

Everyday life is getting harder for Venezuelans.

The Economist

"We made it harder for ourselves, obviously.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harder for", clearly specify who or what group is experiencing the increased difficulty. This provides context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "harder for" without specifying who or what is experiencing the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "It's harder for", specify "It's harder for students" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harder for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating that an action or situation presents increased difficulty or disadvantage to a specified individual or group. Ludwig examples show it qualifying situations and experiences. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harder for" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express that something presents more difficulty or challenge to a specific person or group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its frequent use in news and media, often highlighting inequalities or challenges faced by particular groups. While the phrase is versatile and suitable for a range of contexts, it's important to clearly specify the subject experiencing the difficulty. Alternatives like ""more difficult for"" or "more challenging for" can be used to add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more difficult for

Uses a direct synonym for "harder", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

tougher for

Employs a synonym with a slightly different connotation, suggesting resilience is needed.

more challenging for

Replaces "harder" with "challenging", emphasizing the stimulating aspect of difficulty.

more problematic for

Shifts the focus to the troubles or issues caused by the difficulty.

a greater burden for

Highlights the weight or responsibility imposed by the difficulty.

more strenuous for

Emphasizes the effort and energy required to overcome the difficulty.

more demanding for

Focuses on the high expectations or requirements imposed by the situation.

a disadvantage for

Highlights the unfavorable position created by the difficulty.

a struggle for

Implies a prolonged effort or conflict due to the difficulty.

more taxing for

Emphasizes the depleting or exhausting nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "harder for" in a sentence?

Use "harder for" to indicate that something presents more difficulty to a specific person or group. For example, "The new regulations are "more difficult for" small businesses."

What are some alternatives to using "harder for"?

You can use alternatives like ""more difficult for"", "more challenging for", or "tougher for" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "harder for them"?

Yes, "harder for them" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express that something is more difficult for a specific group of people.

What's the difference between "harder for" and "more difficult than"?

"Harder for" indicates a general difficulty for a specific entity, whereas "more difficult than" is used to compare the level of difficulty between two different things or situations.