quite hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a level of difficulty or intensity in something. Example: The math problem was quite hard, but I was determined to solve it. In this sentence, "quite hard" is used to convey that the math problem was challenging but not impossible. It adds more emphasis than simply saying "hard" and indicates that the speaker was still able to overcome the difficulty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's been quite hard".

The New York Times

(2) It's quite hard.

The Guardian - Film

Quite hard actually.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's quite hard".

The Guardian - Opinion

That's quite hard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Yes, the accent was quite hard work.

Independent

The unarmed part is really quite hard.

Independent

Until it gets quite hard.

The Guardian - Sport

I was crying quite hard.

The Guardian

It hit them quite hard".

The New York Times

I'm finding it quite hard".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite hard" to express a significant but not extreme level of difficulty or effort. It's suitable when something is challenging but achievable with effort.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "quite hard" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "moderately challenging" or "considerably difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite hard" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It intensifies the adjective "hard", indicating a considerable degree of difficulty or effort. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite hard" serves as a versatile descriptor indicating a notable level of difficulty or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific papers. While it's suitable for general use, writers should consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. The phrase's neutral register and common usage make it a valuable tool for conveying nuanced levels of challenge. To avoid overuse, especially in formal texts, consider alternatives like "moderately challenging" or "considerably difficult". Overall, "quite hard" provides an effective means to communicate that something requires significant, but not extreme, effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately difficult

Indicates a medium level of difficulty, similar to "quite hard" but slightly more formal.

somewhat challenging

Emphasizes the challenging aspect, similar to "quite hard" but with a focus on the effort required.

rather tough

Uses "tough" as a synonym for "hard", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

pretty difficult

Uses "pretty" as an intensifier, similar to "quite", maintaining an informal tone.

fairly strenuous

Shifts the focus to the physical or mental effort involved, similar in intensity.

reasonably demanding

Highlights the demands placed on someone or something, expressing a similar level of difficulty.

not a piece of cake

An idiomatic expression meaning not easy, similar to "quite hard" in conveying difficulty.

no walk in the park

Another idiomatic expression indicating difficulty, comparable to "quite hard" in conveying a challenging situation.

slightly problematic

Focuses on the problems or issues caused by the difficulty, offering a slightly different perspective.

a bit of a struggle

Emphasizes the struggle or effort required to overcome the difficulty, maintaining a similar level of intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "quite hard" in a sentence?

You can use "quite hard" to describe something that requires significant effort or is moderately difficult. For example, "Learning a new language can be "quite hard" but rewarding".

What's a more formal alternative to "quite hard"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "moderately challenging", "considerably difficult", or "reasonably demanding" instead of "quite hard".

Is there a difference between "quite hard" and "very hard"?

"Quite hard" suggests a moderate level of difficulty, while "very hard" indicates a much greater degree of difficulty or effort required. The choice depends on the specific intensity you want to convey.

What are some idiomatic alternatives to "quite hard"?

Idiomatic alternatives to "quite hard" include phrases like "not a walk in the park" or "not a piece of cake", which convey a similar meaning in a more informal way.