is hard to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hard to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in performing an action or understanding something. Example: "Learning a new language is hard to master without consistent practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

– is hard to beat.

Independent

Opposition is hard to find.

The Economist

This is hard to quantify.

The Economist

Comity is hard to achieve.

The New York Times

That is hard to believe.

The Economist

Misuse is hard to explain.

The New Yorker

This is hard to monitor".

The New York Times

It is hard to swallow.

The New York Times - Sports

Water is hard to get.

The Economist

It is hard to explain.

The New York Times

It is hard to know.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is hard to" when you want to express that an action requires significant effort or faces substantial obstacles. It's suitable for various contexts, from casual conversations to formal writing.

Common error

While acceptable, "is hard to" can sometimes sound less sophisticated in academic or professional writing. Consider alternatives like "is challenging to" or "presents a significant challenge" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hard to" functions as a qualifier, indicating the degree of difficulty associated with a particular action or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express that something requires significant effort or faces substantial obstacles. Examples from Ludwig show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is hard to" is a versatile and common way to express that something is difficult or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While suitable for most everyday contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. Key considerations include the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's frequently encountered in news, media, and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is difficult to

A direct synonym, emphasizing the level of difficulty involved.

is not easy to

Emphasizes lack of easiness.

is challenging to

Highlights that something requires effort and skill to deal with.

is a struggle to

Implies that something requires a lot of effort.

presents a challenge to

Focuses on the challenging aspect of something, framing it as a problem that needs to be overcome.

poses some difficulty

Highlights that something has the characteristic of making things more complex.

requires considerable effort to

Highlights the high effort required to deal with something.

is an uphill battle to

Highlights the continuous effort that something requires.

is no picnic to

Informal way to express that something is far from enjoyable or straightforward.

is quite a task to

Focuses on describing something as a job.

FAQs

What are some common synonyms for "is hard to"?

Alternatives include "is difficult to", "is challenging to", or "is not easy to", depending on the desired level of formality.

How can I make the phrase "is hard to" sound more formal?

Opt for phrases like "presents a challenge to" or "requires considerable effort to" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "is hard to"?

The phrase "is hard to" works well in everyday conversation, informal writing, and even in some news articles. It is suitable when you want to simply and directly express that something is difficult.

Is there a difference in meaning between "is hard to" and "is difficult to"?

While largely interchangeable, "is difficult to" may sound slightly more formal than "is hard to". The choice often depends on personal preference and the context of the writing.