harsher than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsher than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the severity or strictness of one thing to another. Example: "The new policy is harsher than the previous one, leading to increased dissatisfaction among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Actually, his punishment is harsher than that.

The Economist

He is harsher than Crowther.

The Guardian

I'm kind of harsher than most people".

The New York Times - Arts

His verbal attacks on Israel were harsher than usual.

The New York Times

The US is way harsher than the UK.

The Guardian

Written down, the words look harsher than they sound.

The Guardian - Books

Prosecutors said the sentences were harsher than they had expected.

The New York Times

But many corporate governance specialists are harsher than he is.

The New York Times

This winter's skirmishes have been even harsher than last year's.

The New York Times

"The climate of the eastern Sierra Nevada is significantly harsher than that of the western side.

University of California, Berkeley

She said her own self-discipline is much harsher than what her mother once doled out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing policies or regulations, use "harsher than" to effectively convey an increased level of strictness or severity.

Common error

While "harsher than" is acceptable, avoid overuse in casual conversations; consider simpler alternatives like "tougher" or "more strict" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsher than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something is more severe, strict, or unpleasant compared to something else. Ludwig examples illustrate how it modifies nouns or clauses to provide a degree of intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the comparative phrase "harsher than" is grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to express that something is more severe, strict, or unpleasant compared to something else. Its usage is most frequent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, making it suitable for neutral to professional registers. While versatile, it's important to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings and avoid overuse. This ensures effective and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more severe than

Emphasizes the gravity or intensity of something compared to a standard.

stricter than

Highlights a higher level of enforcement or adherence to rules.

more stringent than

Indicates a higher degree of regulatory rigor or control.

more punitive than

Focuses on the increased application of penalties or punishments.

more drastic than

Suggests a more extreme or radical measure compared to the usual.

more extreme than

Indicates a condition or action that goes beyond the norm or average.

more rigorous than

Implies a higher standard of thoroughness or precision.

more intense than

Emphasizes the elevated degree of strength or concentration.

tougher than

Highlights increased resilience or difficulty compared to something else.

more acute than

Indicates a sharper or more pronounced degree of effect or awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "harsher than" in a sentence?

You can use "harsher than" to compare the severity of two things. For example, "The new regulations are "harsher than" the previous ones."

What are some alternatives to "harsher than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "more severe than", "stricter than", or "more stringent than".

Is there a difference between "harsher than" and "more strict than"?

While similar, "harsher than" often implies a more significant increase in severity, while "more strict than" simply suggests tighter enforcement. Consider "harsher than" for situations involving considerable differences in severity or impact.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "harsher than"?

"Harsher than" is appropriate in formal and neutral contexts when comparing the severity of rules, policies, or punishments. It may be less suitable in informal or casual conversations. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.