is hardly easy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hardly easy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not easy at all, often emphasizing the difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "Completing this project on time is hardly easy, given the tight deadlines and limited resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Keeping track of all the new no-frills airports is hardly easy.

The New York Times

Her task is hardly easy as she explained earlier this month in an interview with Hadassah magazine.

The Guardian

It is hardly easy for someone to take over for a virtual icon, a coach won the second most games (661) in college basketball history.

The New York Times - Sports

That might be fairer, too; in Kenya, for example, rates of sexual violence are also high outside conflict areas.But improving health and social services, and law enforcement, in poor, conflict-torn places is hardly easy either.

The Economist

Open it may be, but getting through it is hardly easy.

BBC

Assessing a state's management quality is hardly easy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Biodiesel, another alternative fuel, made from vegetable fats, is hardly easier to get.

The New York Times

Namibia's route is hardly easier with Georgia – again at Sandy Park and Argentinana, two of the more physical scrummagers at the tournament, to come.

The Guardian - Sport

FOR most small businesses, competing on the Web is hardly easier than competing offline, where gigantic retailers with huge marketing budgets dominate.

The New York Times - Tech

Defining history is hardly easier than defining myth, but a historical approach necessarily involves both establishing a chronological framework for events and comparing and contrasting rival traditions in order to produce a coherent account.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The task was hardly easy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the difficulty of a task, use "is hardly easy" to convey that success requires considerable effort and resources. For example, "Achieving sustainable development is hardly easy given the complex interplay of economic, social, and environmental factors."

Common error

Don't underestimate the force of "hardly". While it might seem weaker than "not at all", "hardly" still implies a significant degree of difficulty. Avoid pairing it with contexts that suggest even moderate ease, as this creates a contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is hardly easy" is to act as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state or quality. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in asserting the challenging nature of various situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is hardly easy" serves as a concise way to convey that a task or situation presents significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its presence in diverse contexts, particularly News & Media. While not as emphatic as "is not at all easy", it effectively tempers expectations and emphasizes the need for effort. Remember to avoid contexts that imply even moderate ease, and consider more formal alternatives like "is rather difficult" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is far from easy

Emphasizes the distance from being easy, suggesting significant difficulty.

is not at all easy

Strengthens the negation of easiness, highlighting considerable challenge.

is no walk in the park

Uses an idiom to convey that something is not simple or effortless.

is quite challenging

Focuses on the stimulating or demanding nature of the task.

is rather difficult

Indicates a considerable level of difficulty, more formal.

is tough going

Highlights the strenuous and laborious aspect of the situation.

is a tall order

Suggests that the task is ambitious and requires significant effort.

is not a piece of cake

Employs an idiom to express that something is not easily accomplished.

is a struggle

Focuses on the effort and hardship involved.

is an uphill battle

Indicates that progress is slow and requires continuous effort against resistance.

FAQs

What does "is hardly easy" mean?

The phrase "is hardly easy" means that something is not easy at all, implying it requires significant effort and may be quite challenging. It's a way to emphasize the difficulty of a task or situation.

What are some alternatives to "is hardly easy"?

You can use alternatives such as "is far from easy", "is not at all easy", or "is quite challenging" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "is hardly easy" in a sentence?

Use "is hardly easy" to describe a situation or task that presents considerable difficulty. For example, "Navigating the current economic climate is hardly easy for small businesses." or "Balancing work and family responsibilities is hardly easy."

Is "is hardly easy" formal or informal?

The phrase "is hardly easy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional settings. Consider alternatives like "is rather difficult" for a more formal tone.