markedly harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "markedly harder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly more difficult than something else. Example: "The new math curriculum is markedly harder than the previous one, challenging students to think critically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Johnson was up next, performing a Yurchenko with two and a half twists, markedly harder than Liukin's vault.

The New York Times

But Stekelenburg's job becomes markedly harder against Brazil, which scored three fine goals in its 3-0 win over Chile on Monday.

The New York Times

Past and present senior army officers have taken a markedly harder line, with Lord Guthrie calling for a severe penalty and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Houghton, insisting "murder is murder" and that pleas for clemency would "erode the moral ascendancy over our enemies".

Independent

Higher ITRTs at the middle of the trials (Fig. 3) suggest that switching between target categories is markedly harder than repeating previous selections (see e.g. Brascamp, Blake, & Kristjánsson, 2011; Chetverikov & Kristjánsson, 2015).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Young queer male colleagues I have shared a classroom or workspace with have almost uniformly worked markedly harder than our heterosexual counterparts.

Huffington Post

I know firsthand how hard it is when you're searching for a real relationship as a gay man in New York, and I would venture to say that for many reasons, it is markedly harder than it is for straight people.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Deposition at higher current density (50 mA/cm2) favored markedly improved hard magnetic properties.

Electrochimica Acta

Similarly, diamond's hardness is markedly directional: the hardest direction is the diagonal on the cube face, 100 times harder than the softest direction, which is the dodecahedral plane.

Wikipedia

After two years of practice, the animals developed some mastery, getting about 75 percent of the easier matches correct and 40 percent of the harder ones, markedly better than chance guessing.

The New York Times - Health

The lumpen, slightly liquid disarray of these forms is beautiful; their uneven surfaces contrast markedly with the clear, hard gleam of the crystal, but also seem to increase its powers of refraction.

The New York Times

He added that although he does not think the before-and-after photos in ads are doctored, most people will not change so markedly no matter how hard or long they work.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "markedly harder" to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty, making sure the context supports such a strong assertion. For example, "The advanced course is "markedly harder" than the introductory one."

Common error

Avoid using "markedly harder" when the difference in difficulty is only slight or subjective. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing. Choose a more appropriate term if the increase in difficulty is not truly substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "markedly harder" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It specifies that something is not just harder, but significantly so. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "markedly harder" is a grammatically sound and impactful way to express a considerable increase in difficulty. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English to describe something that is significantly more difficult than something else. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. When using this phrase, be sure the context accurately reflects a substantial difference in difficulty to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significantly more challenging

Emphasizes the degree of difficulty.

Considerably more difficult

Highlights the substantial increase in difficulty.

Appreciably tougher

Focuses on the tangible difference in toughness.

Noticeably more strenuous

Draws attention to the evident increase in effort required.

Substantially more demanding

Indicates a greater requirement of resources or effort.

Distinctly more complex

Shifts the focus to the increased complexity involved.

Patently more arduous

Highlights the obvious and burdensome nature of the task.

Clearly more taxing

Emphasizes the evident strain or burden imposed.

Pronounced increase in difficulty

Focuses on the obvious change in difficulty.

Demonstrably more challenging

Highlights the clear proof in the task.

FAQs

How can I use "markedly harder" in a sentence?

"Markedly harder" is used to describe something significantly more difficult than something else. For instance, "The exam was "markedly harder" than the practice tests".

What are some alternatives to "markedly harder"?

Alternatives include "significantly more challenging", "considerably more difficult", or "appreciably tougher". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "markedly harder" in formal writing?

Yes, "markedly harder" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when you need to emphasize a considerable increase in difficulty. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

What's the difference between "markedly harder" and "slightly harder"?

"Markedly harder" indicates a significant and noticeable difference in difficulty, while "slightly harder" suggests a minimal difference. Use "markedly harder" when the challenge is substantially increased.