however hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"however hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that whatever is being discussed is difficult or challenging. For example: "I tried to open the box, however hard I tried, it wouldn't budge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He would persevere, however hard it became.

The Guardian - Sport

He is, however, hard not to like.

The New York Times

Stay in Syria, however hard it is".

The Guardian - Opinion

YOU couldn't miss Gordon Ramsay, however hard you might try.

The New York Times - Travel

Beckett is always concrete, however hard he is to define.

The Guardian

However hard her mother was, she was nothing like Priklopil.

The Guardian

The character endures, however hard or mean the world gets.

The Guardian - Film

However hard he tried, he could not find a fifth.

The New York Times - Arts

However hard you work, you always need luck as well".

The Guardian

"However hard we tried we couldn't produce the necessary quality.

The Guardian - Sport

However hard I try, I cannot make it look good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however hard" to emphasize the persistence or determination in the face of difficulty. For instance, "However hard the task seemed, she never gave up."

Common error

Avoid using "however hard" when you mean to express a simple contrast. "Although it was raining, we went for a walk" is different from "However hard it was raining, we went for a walk". The latter implies the rain's intensity didn't deter the action, not just that it was raining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however hard" functions as an adverbial clause of concession. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action is performed or a situation exists despite significant difficulty or effort. Ludwig confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however hard" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize resilience and determination in the face of difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register that is suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "no matter how difficult" or "despite the effort" exist, "however hard" provides a succinct and impactful way to highlight perseverance. Remember to use it to emphasize genuine effort in the face of adversity, and not as a simple substitute for "although".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how difficult

Emphasizes the lack of impact difficulty has on the situation.

regardless of the difficulty

Highlights that the action will proceed without being affected by the difficulty.

despite the effort

Focuses on the presence of effort but doesn't negate the difficulty.

even with great difficulty

Stresses the magnitude of the difficulty experienced.

in spite of the struggle

Highlights the presence of a struggle or challenge.

no matter the exertion

Highlights the amount of effort required, but does not change the outcome.

irrespective of the hardship

Focuses on the lack of impact of hardship on the situation.

even if it's challenging

Directly acknowledges the challenging nature of the task.

come what may

Suggests a resolute attitude despite potential obstacles.

despite all obstacles

Focuses on overcoming various obstacles that may arise.

FAQs

How can I use "however hard" in a sentence?

You can use "however hard" to emphasize the difficulty or effort involved in a situation. For example, "However hard I tried, I couldn't solve the puzzle."

What are some alternatives to "however hard"?

Alternatives to "however hard" include "no matter how difficult", "regardless of the difficulty", or "despite the effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "however hard"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "however hard". It's often used to introduce a contrasting idea or to emphasize a challenge. For instance, "However hard it may be, we must persevere."

What's the difference between "however hard" and "although"?

"However hard" emphasizes the degree of difficulty and persistence, while "although" simply introduces a contrast. You might say, "Although it was difficult, we finished the project" to contrast the difficulty with the completion. Whereas, "However hard it was, we still finished" emphasizes the determination to complete it despite the challenges.