much harder than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much harder than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the difficulty of two tasks, situations, or concepts, indicating that one is significantly more challenging than the other. Example: "This math problem is much harder than the previous one we solved in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Writing it is much harder than fiction.

Independent

"Much harder than it looks!" he said.

Independent

But, actually, it's much harder than that.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's much harder than boxing," Bowe said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's all much harder than you'd think.

The New York Times

Much harder than it might look.

The Guardian

But it's much harder than it looks.

The New Yorker

"It's much harder than it looks.

The New York Times

It was much harder than I thought.

The New York Times - Books

"It was much harder than I expected".

The Guardian - Arts

It was much harder than I expected.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing tasks, ensure the context clearly defines both activities for a better understanding of why one is "much harder than" the other.

Common error

Avoid using "much harder than" when the difference is minimal. Use milder comparative forms if the contrast isn't substantial to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much harder than" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate that something possesses a significantly greater degree of difficulty relative to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much harder than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. It serves to emphasize a notable difference in difficulty between two subjects across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, its neutral register makes it versatile for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the two subjects being compared to provide a clear and effective comparison for your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great deal harder than

Adds emphasis on the extent of the difference in difficulty.

significantly more challenging than

Emphasizes the degree of difference in difficulty; more formal.

substantially more difficult than

Highlights the size of the difficulty gap; more formal and emphatic.

considerably tougher than

Uses "tougher" for a more informal tone, indicating a substantial difference.

distinctly more complicated than

Highlights the level of complexity involved.

markedly more arduous than

Emphasizes the laboriousness involved; more formal and intense.

appreciably more demanding than

Focuses on the effort required; suitable for tasks or situations.

noticeably trickier than

Uses "trickier" to suggest complexity or cunning is required.

far more taxing than

Focuses on the burden or strain imposed; suitable for tasks or responsibilities.

vastly more strenuous than

Emphasizes the amount of energy required; suitable for physical or mental exertion.

FAQs

How can I use "much harder than" in a sentence?

The phrase "much harder than" is used to compare two tasks, situations, or concepts, emphasizing that one is significantly more challenging than the other. For example, "Solving this problem is "much harder than" the previous one."

What are some alternatives to "much harder than"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly more challenging than", "considerably tougher than", or "substantially more difficult than" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "much harder than"?

Yes, "much harder than" is grammatically correct. The adverb "much" modifies the comparative adjective "harder", indicating a greater degree of difficulty. It's a standard construction for comparisons.

What's the difference between "much harder than" and "a little harder than"?

"Much harder than" indicates a significant difference in difficulty, while "a little harder than" suggests only a slight difference. The choice depends on the actual degree of difficulty being compared.