little hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little hard" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is only slightly difficult or challenging. For example: - "The math problem was a little hard, but I managed to solve it." - "Cooking this dish is a little hard, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite easy." - "I find it a little hard to believe that he would do such a thing." - "Her speech was a little hard to understand, but overall it was very inspiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a little hard.

The New York Times

It's a little hard to believe.

The New York Times

This is a little hard to swallow.

The Economist

It's a little hard to follow.

The New York Times

They just take a little hard work.

The New York Times

It was a little hard.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a little hard for me.

The New York Times

They're a little hard to find.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He's a little hard to train.

The New York Times - Sports

But there's little hard evidence of this.

The Guardian

It's a little hard to tell.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the level of difficulty of a task, consider your audience and the context. "Little hard" is versatile but might need adjustment for formal writing.

Common error

While "little hard" is widely understood, substituting with more precise language can strengthen your writing. In formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "somewhat challenging" or "slightly difficult" to convey the intended degree of difficulty with greater nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little hard" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing its characteristic or quality related to difficulty. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is used to express a slight degree of difficulty or challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little hard" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that presents a mild challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility in various contexts. While suitable for most situations, formal writing may benefit from more precise alternatives like "somewhat challenging" or "slightly difficult". Ludwig examples show the expression is used to describe tasks, concepts, and situations with similar frequency, spanning from News & Media to Science and Wiki. When using "little hard", consider your audience and the desired tone to ensure your message is clear and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly difficult

Similar to "little hard", but with a more clinical or objective tone when describing difficulty.

somewhat challenging

Implies a slightly more formal and direct assessment of difficulty compared to "little hard".

kind of tough

More informal, conveys a similar meaning but is better suited for casual conversation.

not exactly easy

Uses a double negative to convey a similar meaning, implying something requires some effort or thought.

a bit demanding

Suggests that something requires effort or concentration, focusing on the demands placed on someone.

moderately strenuous

More appropriate for physical tasks; emphasizes the effort needed in a physical activity.

rather tricky

Emphasizes the cunning or cleverness needed to overcome the difficulty.

a shade arduous

More formal and literary, suggesting a task requires significant effort over a long period.

marginally taxing

Implies something requires effort and may deplete resources or energy, but only to a slight extent.

somewhat unbelievable

Shifts the meaning toward incredulity rather than difficulty; conveys that something is hard to accept as true.

FAQs

How can I use "little hard" in a sentence?

You can use "little hard" to describe something that requires a bit of effort or is somewhat challenging. For example, "This puzzle is a little hard, but I think I can solve it."

What are some alternatives to saying "little hard"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "slightly difficult", "somewhat challenging", or "not exactly easy".

Is "little hard" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "little hard" might be considered informal in some contexts. For formal writing, consider using "more challenging" or "moderately difficult" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when something is described as "little hard"?

When something is described as "little hard", it means that it presents a mild degree of difficulty, requiring some effort or thought but not being overwhelmingly challenging.