has proven harsh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proven harsh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has been demonstrated to be severe or difficult over time. Example: "The recent economic downturn has proven harsh for many small businesses struggling to stay afloat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The spotlight of publicity has proven harsh: earlier this year a newly elected Salafist MP was caught in flagrante fondling a young lady in a parked car; another who claimed that his bruised face was the result of a politically motivated assault turned out to have had a nose job.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although he is often portrayed as messianic or even crazy, Kony has been a shrewd, if extremely predatory, operator, and has proven adaptable and resilient under extremely harsh conditions.

The New Yorker

"Even a century ago people were speaking of Siberia as the land of the future," Thubron says, "but despite its vast western oil and gas deposits, and the mineral and lumber riches of its east, Siberia has proved too harsh, too guarded, too inaccessible, to comply".

The New York Times - Books

Was it a final lack of strength from a woman who has proven herself capable of withstanding the harshest knocks ("this political stuff is nasty, and it's tough", as Trump put it)? Was it a loss of heart?

The Guardian

Measuring the temperature inside the kiln, using thermocouples for instance, has proven to be difficult due to the harsh operating conditions.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Perhaps no modern filmmaker has proven as inspirational or as liberating, yet his harsh and implacable methods, messages, and performers have no correlate in the work of younger directors.

The New Yorker

It's a harsh decision, and not necessarily unfair – why funnel millions into a system that has proven itself to be corrupt?

The Guardian - Opinion

Silicon has proven to be a dominant material in MEMS based sensor design but it is unfit for applications operating in harsh environmental conditions.

Microelectronics Journal

This has proven controversial.

The Economist

"Science has proven it.

The New York Times

He has proven results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has proven harsh" to describe situations where the severity or difficulty has become evident over time. For example, "The economic climate has proven harsh for small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "has proven harsh" for situations where the severity is immediately apparent. It implies a process of becoming evident over time, not an instantaneous harshness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proven harsh" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject as having demonstrated a quality of severity or difficulty over time. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has proven harsh" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations that have become severe or difficult over time. While not extremely common, as per Ludwig, it's suitable for formal writing and various contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, ensure you are conveying the idea of a situation's severity becoming evident over time, as opposed to immediate harshness. Considering related phrases like "has turned out badly" or "has become difficult" can provide alternative options for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proved to be challenging

Highlights difficulty in the situation.

has turned out badly

Focuses on a negative outcome after a period.

has been a tough experience

Highlights the challenging and difficult nature of the experience.

has shown itself to be severe

Highlights the demonstration of severity over time.

has become difficult

Emphasizes the increasing difficulty over a period.

has been a trial

Focuses on the testing and difficult nature.

has resulted in adversity

Emphasizes the adverse results that have occurred.

has been an uphill battle

Implies a continuous struggle against challenges.

has been a rude awakening

Focuses on the shock and unpleasantness of the realization.

has become unbearable

Emphasizes the intolerability of the situation over time.

FAQs

How can I use "has proven harsh" in a sentence?

Use "has proven harsh" to describe a situation or condition that has revealed itself to be severe or difficult over time. For example, "The spotlight of publicity "has proven harsh" for the newly elected officials."

What are some alternatives to "has proven harsh"?

Alternatives include "has become difficult", "has shown itself to be severe", or "has proved to be challenging". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "has proven harsh" in formal writing?

Yes, "has proven harsh" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing adverse conditions or difficult situations that have become evident over time. However, assess if a more precise term might be more impactful.

What's the difference between "has proven harsh" and "is harsh"?

"Is harsh" describes a condition that is currently severe. "Has proven harsh" indicates that the severity has become evident over time. For instance, "The winter is harsh" describes the current weather, while "The winter "has proven harsh"" suggests the winter's severity was revealed gradually.