is very hard for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very hard for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty experienced by someone or something in relation to a specific task or situation. Example: "Learning a new language is very hard for many people, especially adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And it is very hard for them.

The Guardian

It is very hard for democracies to control them.

The New York Times

"But that is very hard for the Cypriots to accept".

The New York Times

"The situation is very hard for me and the children".

The New York Times

This is very hard, for all of us," he said.

The Guardian

"It is very hard for our aging members.

The New York Times

It is very hard for people to accept".

The Guardian - Sport

"This is very hard for me to see.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is very hard for me to think of anything to do".

The New Yorker

"It is very hard for her not to be the good little girl," Andres said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is very hard for her to see her son get punched.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very hard for", ensure that the subject experiencing the difficulty is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It is very hard for understanding", specify "It is very hard for students to understand".

Common error

Avoid using "is very hard for" without providing context or specific reasons for the difficulty. Saying "Life is very hard for people" is vague. Instead, specify the challenges: "Life is very hard for people living in poverty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very hard for" functions as a predicate adjective describing the degree of difficulty experienced by a subject. Ludwig examples show its ability to express the level of challenge encountered by someone or something in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very hard for" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the difficulty someone or something experiences. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While generally suitable for various contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional settings. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoid vagueness. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, according to the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is particularly challenging for

Emphasizes the level of difficulty more explicitly.

is a struggle for

Indicates an ongoing effort to overcome an obstacle.

is no easy task for

Underlines that something requires significant effort and will not be simple.

is especially tough on

Uses a more informal tone to convey hardship.

presents a considerable challenge to

Replaces the subjective "hard" with a more formal assessment of difficulty.

is quite demanding for

Focuses on the effort and requirements involved.

poses significant difficulties for

Highlights the obstacles and problems caused.

is rather arduous for

Implies difficulty and a lot of effort is needed

creates a heavy burden for

Highlights the negative impact and strain.

is an uphill battle for

Uses a metaphor to describe a difficult struggle.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is very hard for" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "presents a considerable challenge to" or "poses significant difficulties for", depending on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "is very hard for" in casual conversation?

In more casual settings, you could use phrases like "is especially tough on" or "is a struggle for" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "is very hard for" in writing?

The phrase "is very hard for" is appropriate across a wide range of writing contexts, from news articles to academic papers, but avoid overusing it. Ludwig provides examples across a variety of contexts.

How does "is very hard for" differ from "is difficult for"?

While both phrases convey the idea of something not being easy, "is very hard for" suggests a greater degree of difficulty compared to "is difficult for". The choice depends on the specific level of challenge you wish to express. In a different way, "difficult" is more suited when describing technical challenges or obstacles, while "hard" is useful when describing physical or mental difficulties.