physically hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "physically hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a physical task that is difficult to accomplish. For example, "Climbing to the top of the mountain was physically hard due to the steep terrain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Film-making is a physically hard job.

The Guardian - Film

How so? "Mentally harder, which is worse than physically hard.

The Guardian - Music

"It was physically hard to do but looks as if it was easy.

Independent

"In Nelken I've taken myself out of some physically hard things.

The Guardian

And 24 of those conceded came in the opening match against a physically hard Samoa side.

The Guardian - Sport

It wasn't just that it was physically hard, it was mentally a tough match, too.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Some stones are physically harder than others, and hardness is usually measured by the Mohs' Scale.

WikiHow

Although the storm's after-effects may make it physically harder for some people to vote, disasters can also increase civic-mindedness and patriotism, attitudes that make voting more likely.

The New York Times

All family members are involved in raising livestock; males and hired labourers dominate the physically harder jobs like shepherding and breeding, while women are involved in milking and caring.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

All family members are involved in raising livestock; men dominate the physically harder jobs like shepherding, shearing and breeding, and the women are more involved in feeding and caring for sick animals (Table 3 and Figure 11).

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

"That was the most physically hard-fought game for us".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, use "physically hard" to emphasize the bodily exertion involved. For example, "Moving the furniture was a "physically hard" task."

Common error

Do not overuse "physically hard" alongside other descriptors that imply physical difficulty. For example, instead of saying "The work was both "physically hard" and exhausting", simply state "The work was exhausting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physically hard" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the degree of difficulty associated with a physical activity or state. Ludwig examples show its use in describing jobs, tasks, or even abstract situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "physically hard" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something requiring significant physical effort. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase, communicating the degree of difficulty of a physical activity and its primary usage contexts are News & Media and Science. While semantically similar alternatives such as "physically demanding" or "physically strenuous" exist, "physically hard" strikes a balance between specificity and informality making it suitable for a wide range of registers. Remember to use "physically hard" to effectively emphasize physical exertion and avoid being redundant, Ludwig confirms its solid grammatical standing and consistent usage across varied sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physically demanding

This alternative highlights the taxing nature of the activity on the body.

physically strenuous

This alternative emphasizes the effort and energy required from the body.

physically challenging

This alternative focuses on the difficulty presented to the body.

tough on the body

This alternative uses a more informal tone to describe the strain on the body.

taxing on the physique

This alternative is a more formal and literary way to express the physical difficulty.

laborious

This alternative directly indicates a large amount of effort is needed.

arduous

This term conveys a sense of difficulty and sustained effort.

back-breaking

This alternative suggests extreme physical labor and potential strain.

grueling

This term signifies an experience that is extremely tiring and demanding.

physically exhausting

This alternative emphasizes the depletion of energy that results from the physical activity.

FAQs

What does "physically hard" mean?

The phrase "physically hard" describes something that requires a lot of physical effort or is difficult to do because of physical demands.

What can I say instead of "physically hard"?

You can use alternatives like "physically demanding", "physically strenuous", or "physically challenging" depending on the context.

How to use "physically hard" in a sentence?

You can use "physically hard" to describe tasks, jobs, or situations that require a lot of physical effort. For example, "Construction work is often "physically hard"." or "The hike was "physically hard" due to the steep incline".

Is "physically hard" the same as "mentally hard"?

No, "physically hard" refers to challenges that require physical effort, while "mentally hard" refers to challenges that require mental effort or are emotionally difficult. Something can be both, one, or the other.