it looks hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your perception of the difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "Looking at the math problem, it looks hard, but I think I can figure it out with some practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It looks hard and uncompromising.

The Guardian - Film

It looks hard into places of extreme despair, and comes back brimming with irrepressible life.

The Guardian - Books

On the downside, she says women are at first "intimidated by golf because it looks hard to them".

The New York Times

Most recently at Seattle's new Central Library, Rem Koolhaas, the Dutch architect, set out to debunk what is perceived as an all-too-common attitude in the American construction industry: if it looks hard to build, don't, because it will be too expensive.

The New York Times - Arts

"It looks hard work at the moment and there is a bit of negativity coming into the squad and the environment.

BBC

It looks hard.' So Sheen is quickly ushered out".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Now it looks harder.

The Economist

It looks harder than it is.

The New Yorker

Even a year ago it looked hard to resist.

The Economist

He just made it look hard.

The New York Times - Arts

Murray well, Murray can make it look hard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it looks hard", ensure the context provides clarity on what 'it' refers to. Specificity enhances understanding.

Common error

While acceptable, "it looks hard" can sound informal. In professional or academic contexts, consider more precise language like "it presents significant challenges" or "it requires substantial effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks hard" primarily functions as an observation or assessment of apparent difficulty. It expresses a subjective judgment based on visual or superficial cues. This is supported by the Ludwig examples, where the phrase describes initial impressions of tasks, situations, or even physical appearances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

36%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it looks hard" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a perception of difficulty. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its usage is more prevalent in news, media, and informal contexts. It's less common in academic or formal writing, where more precise alternatives may be preferred. The phrase functions as an observation or assessment, often based on initial impressions. To improve clarity, ensure the 'it' is clearly defined. Remember, while something might look hard, it doesn't necessarily mean it is!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems difficult

Changes the verb from 'looks' to 'seems' and replaces 'hard' with 'difficult', both indicating a perception of challenge.

it appears challenging

Substitutes 'looks' with 'appears' and 'hard' with 'challenging', conveying a similar sense of demanding effort.

it looks demanding

Replaces 'hard' with 'demanding', emphasizing the high expectations or requirements involved.

it presents difficulties

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the difficulties something might cause, instead of how it looks.

it seems taxing

Uses 'taxing' instead of 'hard', suggesting a draining or burdensome quality.

it requires effort

Shifts the focus to the effort needed, highlighting the work involved rather than the initial impression.

it is not easy

Uses a simpler, more direct way to express the difficulty of something.

it gives the impression of difficulty

A more formal and verbose way of expressing the perceived difficulty.

it projects an image of being tough

Focuses on the image or impression that something is tough, implying resilience and strength.

it has a reputation for being arduous

Attributes a reputation to the subject, suggesting a known history of being difficult.

FAQs

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

Use "it looks hard" to express your initial impression of something being difficult. For example, "That math problem it looks hard, but I'll try to solve it."

What can I say instead of "it looks hard"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems difficult", "it appears challenging", or "it is not easy" depending on the context.

Is "it looks hard" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it looks hard" is grammatically correct. The subject "it" is followed by the verb "looks", and "hard" functions as an adjective describing the subject.

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

"It looks hard" expresses an initial impression or perception of difficulty, whereas "it is hard" states an actual fact about the level of difficulty.