look how hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look how hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to draw attention to the difficulty of a task or situation, often in an informal context. Example: "Look how hard it is to solve this puzzle without any hints!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Look how hard he's trying.

The Guardian

"These guys with all their promise, look how hard they won.

The New York Times - Sports

But at the same time, I've been doing comedy for about 12 years, so look how hard I've had to work to get my first bit of TV.

The Guardian

Just look how hard the current stars have found Merion: of the 210 rounds played, only 10 have been sub-70.

The Guardian - Sport

Watching Adam, for example, the second episode's subject, pump moussed pate onto crackers with Tetris-level concentration, is an unexpectedly touching experience: Look how hard he's trying!

The New York Times - Arts

"Look how hard Danny is trying.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Look how they work harder for Israel than for Azania-South Africa!

The New York Times

And if you want to look at how hard it is for even the PIFs to move the needle, take a look at the RFP-EZ program that was rolled out recently.

The Washington Post

She said: "Look at how hard hitting I am.

The New York Times

"I always look at how hard they are playing.

The New York Times - Sports

"You want to look at how hard he works.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look how hard" to empathetically highlight someone's effort, especially when they may not be achieving immediate success.

Common error

Avoid using "look how hard" to boast about your own efforts. It can come across as self-pitying or arrogant. Instead, focus on the results or the lessons learned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look how hard" primarily functions as an exclamatory observation. It is used to draw attention to the degree of effort being exerted, often with an implied emotional response such as empathy or admiration. Ludwig examples support this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look how hard" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to draw attention to the effort being exerted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It often serves to elicit empathy or admiration and is typically found in neutral contexts, although it can also appear in more formal settings. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it for self-praise to prevent sounding boastful or self-pitying. Instead, focus on expressing genuine appreciation for the efforts of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

see how challenging it is

Highlights the level of difficulty, useful when emphasizing the task's complexity.

notice the effort involved

Focuses on the "effort" aspect, making it suitable when highlighting someone's exertion.

take note of the difficulty

A more formal way to draw attention to a challenging aspect.

observe the difficulty

Replaces "look" with "observe", emphasizing a more formal or detached observation.

consider the labor required

Similar to "notice the effort involved" but focusing on physical or manual work.

witness the struggle

Emphasizes the hardship or adversity faced, adding a dramatic tone.

acknowledge the uphill battle

Emphasizes the adversity involved, showing that progress is not easy.

realize the intensity of effort

Highlights the high level of exertion being put forth.

recognize the pains taken

Highlights the effort done to achieve a goal, but with a negative nuance.

appreciate the dedication

Shifts the focus to admire the commitment and perseverance, showing approval.

FAQs

How can I use "look how hard" in a sentence?

You can use "look how hard" to draw attention to the effort someone is putting into something, as in, "Look how hard she's working to finish the project on time."

What can I say instead of "look how hard"?

You can use alternatives like "notice the effort", "see how challenging", or "observe the difficulty depending on the context.

Which is correct, "look how hard" or "see how hard"?

Both "look how hard" and "see how hard" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context. However, "look how hard" is more frequently found in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "look how hard"?

It is appropriate to use "look how hard" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or effort involved in a task or situation. However, avoid using it in contexts where it might be perceived as condescending or self-pitying.