major hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difficulty or challenge that someone is facing in their life or circumstances. Example: "After losing his job, he faced a major hardship that affected his entire family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A familiar and not a major hardship.

The Guardian

When we think about "resilience," we typically imagine bouncing back from major hardship.

Harvard Business Review

A major three-year light rail construction project through the heart of St Paul, Minnesota, could have been a major hardship for city residents and small businesses along the route.

The Guardian

Some will wonder what the point is of a single travel pass, and may take the view that having to carry and buy different tickets for different types of travel is hardly a major hardship.

The Guardian - Money

This is causing a major hardship for a lot of people in this state". Growing unrest led to the introduction of several bills in last year's legislative session, but legislators decided to form a special committee to study the issue further.

The New York Times

The government of Bangladesh has temporarily closed the Shela channel to commercial traffic, which is a major hardship because it is the main oil shipping route for several major cities.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A6 Israel's highest court ruled that part of Israel's West Bank separation barrier had imposed major hardships on Palestinian villagers and must be rerouted.

The New York Times

Global oil prices began to collapse in 2014 after shippers committed to DAPL, and production in the Bakken Shale oil field has fallen, which has created major hardships for drillers, according to the recent Ieefa report.

The Guardian

Government surveys analyzed by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicate that in 2010, just over half of the country's nearly 17 million poor children lived in households that reported at least one of four major hardships: hunger, overcrowding, failure to pay the rent or mortgage on time or failure to seek needed medical care.

The New York Times

After experiencing major hardships in life, Dr. Tchou went to Hangzhou University (Fig. 4).

Protein & Cell

These were some of the major hardships I faced in the initial stages!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major hardship", consider specifying the type of hardship to provide more context. For example, "financial major hardship" or "emotional major hardship".

Common error

While "major hardship" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal settings. Opt for simpler, more relatable terms like "tough time" or "rough patch" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major hardship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a situation or event that causes significant difficulty or suffering, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major hardship" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe significant difficulties or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly frequent, appearing mostly in news and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Consider specifying the type of hardship for clarity and avoiding overuse in informal settings. Alternative phrases include "severe difficulty" or "significant adversity", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe difficulty

Emphasizes the intensity of the difficulty encountered.

significant adversity

Highlights the challenging and unfavorable conditions faced.

great tribulation

Suggests a period of intense suffering or testing.

profound suffering

Focuses on the deep emotional or physical pain experienced.

considerable distress

Indicates a high level of worry, anxiety, or pain.

extreme privation

Highlights a severe lack of basic necessities.

substantial affliction

Emphasizes the cause of suffering or distress.

serious ordeal

Presents the hardship as a difficult or painful experience to overcome.

tough break

Informal way to denote a piece of bad luck.

heavy burden

Conveys the sense of something difficult to bear.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "major hardship"?

Alternatives to "major hardship" include "severe difficulty", "significant adversity", or "great tribulation", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "major hardship" in a sentence?

You can use "major hardship" to describe a difficult situation. For example: "The economic downturn caused major hardship for many families."

Is "major hardship" formal or informal?

"Major hardship" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal contexts, simpler phrases like "tough time" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "major hardship" and "minor inconvenience"?

"Major hardship" refers to a significant difficulty or suffering, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a small, usually temporary, problem. The key difference is the severity of the impact.