it is hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing difficulty or challenge regarding a task, situation, or concept. Example: "It is hard to stay focused when there are so many distractions around."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health

Remote highlands and thick jungle

Hard work

Stories of people that are here illegally

Commit to something like this

Study medicine and become a surgeon

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It is hard to overestimate its importance.

BMC Health Services Research

Patrolling it is hard.

The Economist

It is hard work.

The New York Times

And it is hard.

The New Yorker

It is hard.

The New York Times

Look, it is hard.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is harder".

BBC

And it was hard.

The New York Times

Celia: It was hard.

The New York Times

It's hard, though".

The New York Times

CQ: It's hard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is hard", ensure the context clearly specifies what "it" refers to, enhancing clarity and preventing ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard" without specifying the subject or situation. Overgeneralizing can make your statement vague and less impactful. Instead, specify what is hard to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard" functions as a statement expressing the degree of difficulty associated with a particular task, situation, or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it used across various contexts to indicate challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is hard" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something requires significant effort or is challenging. Ludwig AI shows that while it is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what "it" refers to. For increased expressiveness consider related alternatives such as "it is challenging" or "it is difficult".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging

Replaces "hard" with "challenging", suggesting a stimulating difficulty.

it is difficult

Substitutes "hard" with "difficult", indicating a state that requires significant effort or skill.

it is tough

Replaces "hard" with "tough", implying resilience is needed to overcome the difficulty.

it is demanding

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort needed, using "demanding" instead of "hard".

it is arduous

Uses "arduous" to highlight the strenuous and prolonged effort required.

it is no easy task

Emphasizes the absence of ease in the undertaking, making it more descriptive.

it presents difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties as something the situation introduces, rather than a quality of the task itself.

it requires effort

Highlights the need for deliberate exertion and work.

it is an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical description to illustrate a struggle against resistance.

it poses a challenge

Focuses on the challenge aspect, framing it as something that needs to be addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "it is hard" in a sentence?

Use "it is hard" to express that something requires significant effort or is challenging to accomplish. For example, "It is hard to stay motivated when facing setbacks."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is hard"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is challenging", "it is difficult", or "it is tough" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is hard"?

Yes, "it is hard" is grammatically correct and a common way to express that something is not easy or requires effort.

What's the difference between "it is hard" and "it is difficult"?

While both phrases express that something is not easy, "it is hard" can sometimes imply a sense of physical effort or resilience, while "it is difficult" often suggests a more intellectual or complex challenge.