make it harder

USAGE SUMMARY

"make it harder" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to suggest that a certain task, goal, or activity should be made more difficult or challenging. For example: "Let's make it harder and aim for a higher score on this test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't make it harder.

The New York Times

Do they make it harder?

The New York Times - Sports

Does that make it harder?

The New York Times

Wasn't the idea to make it harder?

The New Yorker

Does the current situation make it harder?

The New York Times

A: It doesn't make it harder.

The New York Times

Why make it harder by having to insult anyone?

The New York Times - Sports

Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself.

The New York Times

Churning populations make it harder to keep track of voters.

The Economist

But it would make it harder to find".

The New York Times

They undermine stability and make it harder to sustain growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it harder", consider the specific context and audience to choose the most appropriate level of intensity. For example, "raise the bar" might be preferable in a motivational setting, while "tighten the screws" may be suitable in a disciplinary one.

Common error

While "make it harder" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "increase the difficulty" or "intensify the effort" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it harder" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is the main verb and "it harder" serves as the object complement, describing the result of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase indicates an action intended to increase the difficulty of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it harder" is a versatile expression used to suggest an increase in difficulty or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "increase the difficulty" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. The choice of synonyms depends on the intended nuance, ranging from general intensification to specifically raising standards or applying pressure. Remember that while "make it harder" is fine, avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Increase the difficulty

Focuses on a general rise in the level of difficulty without specifying the means.

Make it more challenging

Focuses on increasing the complexity and stimulating nature of the task.

Make it more demanding

Emphasizes increasing the requirements or expectations.

Raise the bar

Suggests setting a higher standard or expectation.

Step up the challenge

Emphasizes the intensification of an existing challenge.

Set a higher hurdle

Specifically refers to increasing the obstacles to overcome.

Tighten the screws

Implies increasing pressure or strictness.

Turn up the heat

Suggests intensifying a situation, often in a competitive or stressful context.

Intensify the effort

Focuses on amplifying the amount of exertion required.

Escalate the stakes

Highlights raising the potential rewards or consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "make it harder" in a sentence?

You can use "make it harder" to suggest increasing the difficulty of a task or situation, as in "Let's "make it harder" by adding more variables to the experiment".

What's a more formal way to say "make it harder"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "increase the difficulty", "intensify the challenge", or "raise the standards". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Which is correct: "make it harder" or "make it more hard"?

"Make it harder" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Harder" is the comparative form of the adjective "hard", while "more hard" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "make it hard" and ""make it harder""?

"Make it hard" means to cause something to become difficult. "Make it harder" implies increasing the difficulty beyond its current state.