kind of hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is somewhat difficult or challenging, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The exam was kind of hard, but I think I managed to do well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's kind of hard.

The New York Times - Sports

"She's kind of hard.

The Washington Post

Kind of hard to say fast.

The New York Times

It's kind of hard to describe".

The New Yorker

It's kind of hard to miss".

The New Yorker

It was kind of hard for me".

The New York Times - Sports

It was kind of hard but fun".

The New York Times

It was kind of hard.

The Guardian - Books

It's kind of hard to show off.

The New York Times

"So that's kind of hard to beat".

The New York Times - Sports

The best kind of hard work.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of hard" to express a moderate level of difficulty or challenge in informal contexts. It softens the statement compared to saying something is simply "hard."

Common error

While "kind of hard" is acceptable in casual conversation, avoid using it in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "somewhat difficult" or "moderately challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of hard" functions as an adjective modifier, softening the impact of the adjective "hard". Ludwig AI's examples show it modifying various nouns, such as tasks, experiences, or concepts, to indicate a moderate level of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of hard" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a moderate level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, mainly in the news and media domain. It's best suited for informal or neutral contexts, with more formal alternatives available for professional writing. While "kind of hard" is frequent, remember that more precise vocabulary often leads to a better text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat difficult

Replaces "kind of" with "somewhat" for a slightly more formal tone.

a bit challenging

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "kind of" with "a bit", softening the statement.

relatively difficult

Uses "relatively" instead of "kind of" to indicate difficulty in comparison to something else.

moderately challenging

Replaces both words with synonyms suggesting a balanced level of difficulty.

not so easy

Expresses difficulty by stating the opposite of easy, using a more casual tone.

slightly tough

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" for a slightly different connotation, maintaining informality.

a little tricky

Replaces "hard" with "tricky", suggesting the difficulty involves problem-solving.

somewhat demanding

Substitutes "hard" with "demanding" to emphasize the effort required.

not exactly a breeze

An idiomatic expression implying that something requires effort and is not effortless.

presents some difficulties

A more formal way to state that something is not straightforward, highlighting the presence of problems.

FAQs

What does "kind of hard" mean?

"Kind of hard" means something is moderately difficult or challenging. It indicates a degree of difficulty less intense than simply saying something is "hard".

How can I use "kind of hard" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of hard" to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that present a moderate level of difficulty. For example, "The exam was "kind of hard", but I think I did okay."

What are some alternatives to "kind of hard"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat difficult", "a bit challenging", or "moderately challenging" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "kind of hard" in formal writing?

While acceptable in informal contexts, it's best to avoid "kind of hard" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives to maintain a formal tone. You can use "somewhat difficult" or "presents some difficulties".