massive hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massive hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of difficulty or suffering that someone is experiencing. Example: "The community faced massive hardship after the natural disaster, struggling to rebuild their lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A couple might jointly earn 31K ( which would make them lower paid in the first instance ) but if they have children and debts then an extra increase a month potentially on top of their current rent will cause massive hardship.

The Guardian

He says that what he's learned from spending so much time with CEOs and industry tycoons, is that they all went through massive hardship to get to the top, and the struggles they face are a badge of courage they all now wear bravely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

8. "I'd like to hear more about bold financial reform, jobs, and protecting the social safety net -- our nation's biggest stimulus -- and less about deficit reduction at a time of massive unemployment and hardship".

Huffington Post

The Uighur businessman, a successful middle-aged man who has lived outside of Xinjiang for more than a decade, said he was shocked at the level of alienation and disaffection he found on a recent trip to Urumqi, which he said stemmed mostly from economic hardship and massive unemployment.

The New York Times

Severely limited choice and a destiny of hardship would be a massive shock to those of us who have been inculcated to experience identity and self worth through consumerism.

Huffington Post

Qualification was a massive achievement in spite of all the hardship the team has had to overcome, but the hard work starts now for Paqueta and his team.

BBC

In June, the government announced a massive support program to ease the financial hardship of survivors as they struggle with old age, medical bills and exasperating bureaucracy.

Los Angeles Times

Patients who had granulocyte counts of <0.5×10/l, those who could not receive adequate treatment because of economic hardship, and those who received a massive transfusion or a liquid resuscitation before their admissions to ICU were excluded from the present study.

Clinical Science

A massive chunk of Lorraine coal is a reminder of the hardships and dangers of pit life.

The Guardian

The native population fared poorly and suffered massive loss of people due to epidemics and colonial period hardships.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Massive unemployment, decades of sporadic civil war and other economic hardships aren't enough to keep people from wanting to stay connection.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "massive hardship", ensure the context clearly illustrates the scale and severity of the difficulty being described. Consider quantifying the impact with specific figures or examples to enhance the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "massive hardship" to describe minor inconveniences or temporary discomforts. This phrase should be reserved for situations involving significant and prolonged suffering, such as widespread poverty, displacement due to natural disasters, or severe economic crises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive hardship" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "massive" serves as an adjective intensifying the noun "hardship". It is used to describe a situation characterized by widespread and severe suffering or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "massive hardship" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations of widespread and severe suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, as well as science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the scale and intensity of the hardship being described, avoiding its application to minor inconveniences. Consider alternatives like "extreme suffering" or "severe adversity" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tremendous adversity

This option emphasizes the overwhelming and formidable nature of the challenges, suggesting a significant struggle.

severe adversity

This alternative focuses on the challenging and unfavorable conditions, emphasizing the opposition one faces.

extreme suffering

This phrase highlights the intense pain and distress experienced, emphasizing the emotional impact.

immense difficulty

This highlights the scale and intensity of the challenges, implying a substantial obstacle to overcome.

profound difficulty

This option emphasizes the depth and complexity of the challenges faced, suggesting a more intricate situation.

severe privation

This underlines the deprivation of basic necessities, stressing the state of extreme want and lack.

intense privation

This alternative stresses the lack of basic necessities, highlighting the state of being deprived.

significant tribulation

This choice conveys a sense of enduring trials and tribulations, emphasizing the prolonged nature of the suffering.

great affliction

This phrase underscores the cause of distress and suffering, indicating a source of pain or misery.

major economic downturn

This refers specifically to economic difficulties, especially in a certain sector or region.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "massive hardship" in a sentence?

To effectively use "massive hardship", ensure the context demonstrates the severe and widespread nature of the suffering. For instance, "The country experienced "massive hardship" following the devastating earthquake" clearly conveys the scale of the difficulty.

What are some alternatives to "massive hardship"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "extreme suffering", "severe adversity", or "profound difficulty". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "massive hardship" in a formal setting?

Yes, "massive hardship" is appropriate for formal settings when accurately describing a situation involving significant suffering. However, ensure that the tone remains objective and avoids sensationalism.

What distinguishes "massive hardship" from "great difficulty"?

"Massive hardship" implies a larger scale and greater intensity of suffering compared to "great difficulty". While "great difficulty" suggests significant challenges, "massive hardship" emphasizes widespread and severe deprivation or suffering. The word 'massive' underlines the extent and severity of the situation.