making things hard for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making things hard for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is causing difficulties or challenges for another person or group. Example: "His constant criticism is making things hard for the team to work effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I wondered if she was due a hip replacement and why she was making things hard for herself.

The Guardian - Books

Not that Kenneth Lonergan, who wrote and directed the movie, is deliberately making things hard for us to grasp.

The New Yorker

Unlike in other European capitals, where one can perceive a degree of animosity and frustration with Cameron's tricks and tactics, Spain has no special interest in making things hard for the British prime minister.

The Guardian

He claims the development would "destroy the historical character, way of life and rural setting of the Kentish Weald", as well as making things hard for wildlife.In this section Tata for now Long shadows Raising a class Candid camera Green and pressured land Heard it through the grapevine Darling snarling?

The Economist

But the bulk of the Wasilla declaration, like the bulk of the Philadelphia one, was devoted to the enumeration of what the latter's author called "a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object" — the Object being, in Sarah Palin's case, making things hard for Sarah Palin.

The New Yorker

Clearly the iPod Nano and iPhone video availability is making things hard for Pure Digital by essentially stealing their entire market.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That led to a cutback in the supply of rental properties, he said, making things harder for potential first-time buyers, who ended up spending their down payments on higher rents.

The New York Times

The only sure thing is that monsoon clouds are now closing round, making things harder for American spies, but also for North Koreans wanting to launch and track a missile.Whether for real or for show, the preparations have caused outrage.

The Economist

Whatever the case, United says it plans to increase Ted's presence in Denver, making things harder for Frontier.

Forbes

South Park highlights how Facebook is profiting off fake news, which the company needs to avoid, even if it means making things harder for innocent advertisers.

TechCrunch

Small business owner Bill Schams says, "Obama definitely is making things harder for us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making things hard for", consider the specific type of difficulty being created. Is it a matter of increasing complexity, creating obstacles, or simply making life more challenging? Choose the wording that best reflects the nuances of the situation.

Common error

While "making things hard for" is generally acceptable, it can sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "complicating matters for" or "hindering progress for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making things hard for" functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as part of a predicate, describing an action that causes difficulty or creates obstacles for someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making things hard for" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe actions or situations that create difficulties or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news and general writing. While not overly formal, consider using more sophisticated alternatives in highly professional settings. Common usage patterns include describing challenges faced by individuals or organizations in news, wiki, and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making it tough for

Synonymous, with a slight informal tone.

complicating matters for

This alternative emphasizes the act of introducing complexity or difficulty into a situation.

creating difficulties for

This phrase focuses on the creation or generation of challenges or obstacles.

placing obstacles in the way of

This alternative highlights the act of positioning barriers or impediments.

hindering progress for

This phrase underscores the slowing down or impeding of advancement.

making life difficult for

This alternative broadens the scope to encompass overall hardship or adversity.

giving someone a hard time

This option is more informal and emphasizes the act of teasing or tormenting someone.

imposing hardships on

This emphasizes the act of inflicting suffering or privation.

challenging the abilities of

This suggests a stimulus towards a certain skill with a pinch of irony.

making it problematic for

It's like making it difficult but focusing more on the issues this may cause.

FAQs

How can I use "making things hard for" in a sentence?

You can use "making things hard for" to describe actions or situations that create difficulties for someone. For example: "The new regulations are "making things hard for" small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "making things hard for"?

Alternatives include "complicating matters for", "creating difficulties for", or "placing obstacles in the way of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "making things hard for" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "making things hard for" can sound slightly informal in very formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "hindering progress for" or "imposing hardships on" in such cases.

What's the difference between "making things hard for" and "making life difficult for"?

"Making things hard for" typically refers to specific actions or situations that create challenges, while "making life difficult for" encompasses a broader range of hardships and adversities.