make it harder for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it harder for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or situations that increase difficulty or obstacles for someone or something. Example: "The new regulations will make it harder for small businesses to compete in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A downgrade can make it harder for a country to manage its debts.

Forbes

Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself.

The New York Times

Both trends make it harder for authorities to register them.

The Economist

And I don't want to make it harder for Jimmy.

The New York Times

They make it harder for the destroying part to work.

The New Yorker

"Why make it harder for people to buy your product?

The New York Times - Tech

Does the Internet make it harder for you to rule?

The New York Times

Don't make it harder for them, don't harm them.

The Guardian

But higher interest rates make it harder for local companies to borrow, potentially limiting economic growth.

The New York Times

Stopping the train between stations will make it harder for help to arrive.

The New York Times

Higher rates could make it harder for those countries to recover.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "make it harder for" with more specific verbs like "impede", "obstruct", or "complicate" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make it harder for" with an unclear subject. For example, instead of "Regulations make it harder for success", specify who faces the difficulty: "Regulations make it harder for small businesses to achieve success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it harder for" functions as a phrasal verb expressing causation. It indicates that one action or event increases the difficulty for another. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make it harder for" is a versatile and widely used expression that describes the act of increasing difficulty for someone or something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse sources, from news articles to scientific publications and even wiki pages. While alternatives exist to provide varying degrees of formality or precision, understanding how to effectively use "make it harder for" will contribute to clear and impactful communication. It's also important to recognize where more suitable options might exist, such as in highly formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase difficulty for

A more formal and direct synonym, useful in academic or professional contexts.

create obstacles for

Emphasizes the creation of barriers, highlighting the impediment aspect of making something harder.

complicate matters for

Focuses on adding complexity as a means of creating difficulty, rather than directly increasing effort.

present challenges for

Shifts the focus to the challenges faced as a result of something becoming harder.

exacerbate problems for

Focuses on intensifying existing issues, leading to greater difficulty.

aggravate the situation for

Highlights the worsening of circumstances, implying increased difficulty as a consequence.

impede the ability of

Highlights the restriction of someone's capacity to do something.

hamper progress for

Specifically refers to impeding advancement or development.

set back the efforts of

Implies a reversal or delay in someone's attempts to achieve something.

place burdens on

Focuses on adding weight or responsibility, which indirectly increases difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make it harder for" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "increase difficulty for", "create obstacles for", or "impede the progress of" depending on the context.

Is "make it harder for" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "make it harder for" is generally considered less formal. In academic writing, it's often better to opt for more precise and formal alternatives such as "increase the difficulty for" or "complicate matters for".

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

"Make it harder for" implies increasing the difficulty, but still allowing for the possibility of success. "Make it impossible for" indicates that success is no longer achievable. The difference lies in the degree of difficulty imposed.

What are some common situations where you might use "make it harder for"?

You might use "make it harder for" when discussing regulations that "restrict business", policies that "limit access", or strategies designed to "impede progress". Essentially, any situation where an action increases the difficulty of achieving a goal.