is getting harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is getting harder" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or task that is becoming more difficult over time. Example: "Studying for this exam is getting harder with each passing day." This sentence implies that as time goes on, the task of studying for the exam is becoming more challenging.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is getting harder.

The Economist

It is getting harder.

Independent

That is getting harder.

The Economist

But it is getting harder.

The Economist

But business is getting harder.

The Economist

"Life is getting harder".

The New York Times

But such "sterilisation" is getting harder.

The Economist

It is getting harder by the day.

Independent

Good entertainment is getting harder to find.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

All that bad debt is getting harder to collect.

The New York Times

For many of these people life is getting harder.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is getting harder", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming more difficult. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "is getting harder" without specifying what exactly is becoming more difficult. For example, instead of saying "Life is getting harder", specify "Managing finances is getting harder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is getting harder" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state of a subject as becoming more difficult. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a progressive change, where a task or situation is evolving into something more challenging. The numerous examples found by Ludwig confirm its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is getting harder" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe a situation or task that is becoming increasingly difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys a sense of growing challenge and can be adapted to various registers. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific context to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives like "is becoming more challenging" can be used to add nuance. Ultimately, the phrase serves as a versatile tool for expressing progressive difficulty in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is becoming more challenging

Replaces "getting" with "becoming" and "harder" with "more challenging", emphasizing the increasing difficulty.

is increasingly difficult

Uses "increasingly difficult" to highlight the growing level of difficulty.

is escalating in difficulty

Replaces "getting harder" with "escalating in difficulty", highlighting the progressive increase in difficulty.

is mounting in difficulty

Uses "mounting" to convey the increasing nature of the difficulty.

is proving more troublesome

Substitutes "harder" with "more troublesome", focusing on the problematic aspect.

is not getting any easier

Expresses the same idea by negating the opposite, implying increasing difficulty.

is posing a greater challenge

Focuses on the aspect of presenting an increasing obstacle or test.

is turning into a greater struggle

Highlights the increasing effort required, emphasizing the aspect of struggle.

is turning into an uphill battle

Employs a metaphor to describe the situation as a difficult struggle.

is becoming more unattainable

Focuses on the aspect of becoming impossible to reach or achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "is getting harder" in a sentence?

Use "is getting harder" to describe a situation or task that is becoming more challenging over time. For example: "Finding affordable housing "is getting harder" in the city".

What are some alternatives to saying "is getting harder"?

You can use alternatives like "is becoming more challenging", "is increasingly difficult", or "is turning into an uphill battle" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is getting harder"?

Yes, "is getting harder" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "is + verb-ing + adjective" to indicate a progressive increase in difficulty.

What's the difference between "is getting harder" and "was getting harder"?

"Is getting harder" refers to a difficulty that is currently increasing, while "was getting harder" refers to a difficulty that was increasing in the past but may or may not be increasing now.