harder than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

'harder than usual' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare how hard an action is compared to how hard it usually is. For example, "I've been studying for this test harder than usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Right now, it's probably harder than usual.

Harvard Business Review

Writing this one is a bit harder than usual.

University of California, Berkeley

But quietly, they were working harder than usual.

The New York Times - Sports

Even so, the constraints of the edge themes made filling the puzzle harder than usual.

The New York Times

Caste borders are porous, and parties are trying harder than usual to cross them.

The Economist

He did, however, confess that Dinamo's instructions had been "to play a little harder than usual".

The New York Times - Sports

And yes, counting them all is going to be even harder than usual.

The Guardian - Books

For those reasons, Mr. Trump leaned right harder than usual on Friday night.

The New York Times

He is swinging harder than usual, the first sign that he is pressing for home runs.

The New York Times - Sports

It will also be a little harder than usual to make this Christmas successful.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This fire season will bring a host of harder-than-usual challenges due to higher temperatures, below-average rainfall and fewer firefighting resources.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider adding specific details about why something is "harder than usual" to enhance understanding and engagement. For example, instead of saying "The test was harder than usual", specify "The test was harder than usual because it covered more advanced topics."

Common error

Avoid using "harder than usual" as a generic statement without providing context. Explain the specific factors contributing to the increased difficulty to make your writing more informative and persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harder than usual" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or situation is more difficult compared to its typical state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Harder than usual" is a versatile comparative phrase used to express that something requires more effort or presents more difficulty than is typically expected. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide specific details to clarify why something is "harder than usual", enhancing the clarity and impact of your writing. Alternatives such as "more challenging than typical" and "more difficult than normal" can be used for variety, while ensuring the context supports the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more challenging than typical

Focuses on the degree of challenge relative to what is typical.

more difficult than normal

Emphasizes the level of difficulty compared to what is considered normal.

more strenuous than ordinary

Highlights the increased effort required, using 'strenuous' to convey intensity.

requiring extra effort

Indicates that additional effort is needed beyond the standard amount.

unusually demanding

Focuses on the high demands placed on someone or something.

more taxing than expected

Emphasizes the burden or strain, especially in comparison to expectations.

above the ordinary difficulty

Indicates a level of difficulty exceeding what is common or average.

more intensely labored

Highlights the increased intensity of the work involved.

involving exceptional exertion

Points to the need for a greater degree of physical or mental effort.

presenting heightened adversity

Focuses on the increased level of challenges and obstacles encountered.

FAQs

How can I use "harder than usual" in a sentence?

You can use "harder than usual" to indicate an increased level of difficulty compared to the norm. For example: "The workout felt "harder than usual" today because I didn't get enough sleep last night."

What are some alternatives to saying "harder than usual"?

Alternatives include "more challenging than typical", "more difficult than normal", or "unusually demanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more hard than usual" instead of "harder than usual"?

While "more hard" is grammatically possible in some contexts, "harder" is the standard and preferred comparative form of "hard" in this context. Therefore, "harder than usual" is generally the correct choice.

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

The difference is subtle; "harder" often implies physical effort or tangible challenges, while "more difficult" can refer to intellectual or abstract challenges. However, in many cases, they're interchangeable: "more difficult than usual" is suitable for many situations.