harsh demands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh demands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe requests or requirements that are severe or difficult to meet. Example: "The manager's harsh demands left the team feeling overwhelmed and stressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The Turks sent him back to Mr Assad with harsh demands.

The Economist

He could have obeyed his instincts and started making harsh demands.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Horner has an untroubled sensibility as a composer; his songs offer simple rewards and make few harsh demands.

The New York Times

Veteran coach Valorie Kondos Field works at 'planting seeds' to build trust among female gymnasts bruised by the harsh demands — and abuse — that have marred their sport.

The Washington Post

Froney's Sis, orphaned when a month old, isn't sure about her identity and proves to be too delicate for the harsh demands of racing.

The New York Times - Books

Is it easier to impose harsh demands upon small economies, but much harder to tell difficult truths to the big ones – particularly fellow Europeans?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He usually selected men whose behaviour was much like his own: harsh, demanding, and merciless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Evidence had revealed the sons as "self-indulgent, substance-abusing, over-pampered" and depicted Adelson as a "harsh, demanding, unfeeling" person, the judge wrote.

The Guardian

Ahmed didn't realize what had happened until an announcement came over the loudspeaker of the local mosque; the usual song of the afternoon call to prayer was replaced by a harsh demand.

The New Yorker

In the Findings of Fact, Associate Justice Hiller B. Zobel wrote, "The evidence during the 14-day trial depicted, like something from the playwright Arthur Miller, a harsh, demanding, unfeeling, successful businessman frustrated in his inability to actuate his self-indulgent, substance-abusing, over-pampered, and (as he believes) ungrateful sons".

The New Yorker

In a suit in which his sons alleged that Adelson defrauded them by pressing them to sell stock for less than its fair value, a Massachusetts judge wrote in 2001 that Adelson was "a harsh, demanding, unfeeling, successful businessman" who was "perhaps lacking paternal kindness and, indeed, cordiality generally". But the judge ruled for Adelson, saying he had neither misled nor cheated his children.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harsh demands", consider the audience's perception. While it can accurately describe a situation, be mindful of the potential for negative connotations and adjust your language accordingly to maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid using "harsh demands" when the situation involves standard or reasonable expectations. Using a more neutral term like "requirements" or "conditions" can prevent misinterpretation and maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh demands" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "harsh" modifies the noun "demands". It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, describing the nature of requests or requirements. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harsh demands" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe severe or difficult requests. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various domains. Analysis reveals its common appearance in news and media, often conveying criticism or concern. While generally neutral in register, the term carries a somewhat negative connotation, and care should be taken to avoid its overuse in contexts where a more balanced tone is desired. Alternatives like "stringent requirements" or "difficult prerequisites" can provide similar meaning with less negative emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stringent requirements

Replaces 'demands' with 'requirements' and 'harsh' with 'stringent', implying strict conditions.

severe expectations

Focuses on the 'expectation' aspect, suggesting high and potentially difficult-to-meet standards.

unreasonable conditions

Highlights the perceived unfairness or excessiveness of the requirements.

exorbitant requests

Emphasizes the excessive or unreasonable nature of the requests.

onerous terms

Focuses on the burdensome nature of the conditions being imposed.

difficult prerequisites

Highlights the challenging nature of the requirements that must be met beforehand.

rigid stipulations

Emphasizes the inflexibility and strictness of the imposed conditions.

austere measures

Emphasizes the strict and self-denying nature of the required actions.

punitive measures

Focuses on the intent to punish through the demands.

draconian regulations

Implies that the regulations are excessively severe and inflexible.

FAQs

How can I use "harsh demands" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh demands" to describe requirements that are severe or difficult to meet. For example, "The creditors imposed "harsh demands" on the struggling nation."

What are some alternatives to "harsh demands"?

Alternatives include "stringent requirements", "severe expectations", or "unreasonable conditions", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "harsh demands"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the severity or difficulty of the requirements being imposed. Be mindful of the potential negative connotations and ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "harsh demands" and "difficult requests"?

"Harsh demands" implies a degree of severity or unreasonableness, while "difficult requests" simply suggests that the requests are challenging to fulfill. The former carries a stronger negative connotation.