personal hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal hardship" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a difficult or trying situation that an individual is experiencing in their personal life. Example: She had to take a break from her studies due to personal hardships such as a family illness and financial struggles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Research shows that keeping an indigent person in jail prior to their hearing not only causes personal hardship for that person (and their family), but also seriously damages their ability to fight the charges.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are innumerable stories of personal hardship.

The Economist

This period of personal hardship was also a period of increased artistic activity for Rousseau.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mohamed and Greste families have also experienced great personal hardship.

The Guardian

That – not issues of personal hardship or legal obligation – is the overwhelming argument against the idea.

The Guardian - Opinion

Loss of life and personal hardship is also much more widespread especially in low-income countries".

The Guardian

"It has to cause an unacceptable amount of personal hardship," he said.

The New York Times

But for Ms. Avellan, 47, personal hardship is leading to a professional evolution.

The New York Times

That means social security claims would go unprocessed and pile up, causing bureaucratic congestion and personal hardship across the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But it's notable that people felt more comfortable divulging their real personal hardships to a machine than to a person.

TechCrunch

Very little emerges about his personal hardships.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal hardship" in contexts where the individual's experience is central to the discussion, emphasizing empathy and understanding. This is particularly effective in narratives, case studies, and persuasive writing.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague euphemisms when referring to "personal hardship". While sensitivity is important, excessive vagueness can obscure the true impact of the situation and diminish the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal hardship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a difficult or challenging situation that affects an individual's life. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal hardship" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe difficult or challenging situations in an individual's life. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is regularly used in written English. Its communicative purpose is to convey adversity, often eliciting empathy. The phrase is versatile, fitting neutral registers and frequently appearing in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When writing about "personal hardship", be specific and avoid overly vague language to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "individual suffering" or "private adversity" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual suffering

Focuses specifically on the experience of suffering by an individual.

private adversity

Highlights the adverse and private nature of the difficulty.

personal misfortune

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the personal event.

difficult personal circumstances

Broader, encompasses a range of challenging situations.

challenging life events

Focuses on the life events that are creating difficulties.

personal difficulties

More general term for problems in one's personal life.

private struggles

Highlights the effort and private nature of overcoming difficulties.

personal trials

Emphasizes the testing or challenging aspect of the experience.

tough times

An informal phrase for a period of difficulty.

adverse life experiences

Focuses on the negative experiences that impact one's life.

FAQs

What are some phrases similar to "personal hardship"?

Alternatives include "individual suffering", "private adversity", or "difficult personal circumstances", each carrying slightly different nuances.

How can I use "personal hardship" in a sentence?

You might say, "The program aims to alleviate the "personal hardship" faced by unemployed individuals" or "Despite facing significant "personal hardship", she persevered and achieved her goals."

Is "personal hardship" a formal or informal expression?

"Personal hardship" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might consider using "personal adversity" or "difficult personal circumstances" for added gravitas.

What type of situations does "personal hardship" typically refer to?

It usually refers to difficult situations such as financial struggles, health issues, loss of loved ones, or any other significant challenge that negatively impacts an individual's life.