harsh time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging period in someone's life or experience. Example: "After losing his job, he went through a harsh time trying to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Life was harsh, time was precious, and articles of furniture were confined to essentials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On one hand this results in very harsh time step restrictions for explicit methods due to the CFL criterion.

Journal of Computational Physics

Worse yet, food stamps can even have harsh time limits (e.g. three months of SNAP every three years), growing restrictions on how they can be used (sorry, no seafood allowed) and work requirements (30 hours per week).

TechCrunch

"Within the level you'll also find restart points, extra lives, and no harsh time limit to put pressure on your performance.

Wikipedia

He's not entirely wrong, in that Katla believes in sorcery, but she's also a persecuted woman in a harsh time trying to secure protection for herself and Margit — her seduction spells are born out of a desire to bind Johan to her, which she comes to realize would best be achieved with a pregnancy.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Harsh times call for harsh measures.

The New York Times

"The fact is, we confront harsh times.

The New York Times

And would we thrive in these harsh times?

The Guardian

Even so, these are unusually harsh times for oil refiners.

The New York Times

Not because these are harsh times when security isn't normally an excuse for fun.

The New York Times - Style

By then, however, "Harsh Times" has signaled that the possibility for redemption is long past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or societal conditions, use "harsh time" to convey the difficulties and struggles faced by people during that era.

Common error

While "harsh time" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tough time" or "difficult period" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence to describe a difficult or challenging period. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harsh time" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a period of difficulty or adversity. While Ludwig confirms its validity and usability, the analysis indicates that it's a relatively rare expression, primarily found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. For more casual conversations, alternatives like "difficult period" or "tough time" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "harsh time" when you need to convey a sense of struggle or suffering during a specific era or event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult period

Focuses on the difficulty of the period, a direct synonym.

tough period

Similar to 'difficult period', emphasizes the demanding nature.

challenging time

Highlights the demanding aspect of the time.

trying time

Emphasizes the stress and emotional difficulty of the period.

hardship

Refers to a state of suffering or difficulty.

time of adversity

Highlights the unfortunate or difficult circumstances.

grim era

Focuses on a generally bleak or depressing period.

austere period

Emphasizes the severity or strictness of the period.

period of tribulation

Highlights suffering or distress experienced during the time.

era of difficulty

A more formal way of expressing a difficult time.

FAQs

What does "harsh time" mean?

The phrase "harsh time" refers to a period marked by difficulty, suffering, or unpleasant conditions.

What can I say instead of "harsh time"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult period", "tough period", or "challenging time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "harsher time"?

Yes, "harsher time" is grammatically correct and used to describe a period that is more difficult or unpleasant than another. The search results show examples where "harsher time" is used to compare eras.

How do I use "harsh time" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh time" to describe personal experiences or broader historical periods. For example: "He went through a harsh time after losing his job" or "The settlers endured a harsh time during the winter months".