rather hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite difficult or challenging. Example: "The exam was rather hard, and many students struggled to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is rather hard to imagine.

The Economist

This makes them rather hard to detect.

The Economist

I'd find that rather hard to do".

The Guardian - Books

The latter is rather hard to forget.

The New York Times

In practice that is rather hard to do.

The Economist

It had just begun raining, suddenly and rather hard.

The New York Times - Travel

It's rather hard to imagine Dylan Moran with "less words".

Independent

This proved rather hard, given the explosion of interest.

The Guardian - Film

It will take time, and is rather hard graft.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's actually rather hard to encapsulate me in a show.

The Guardian - Arts

I find my own plays rather hard to interpret.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing between "rather hard" and alternative phrases like "quite difficult" or "somewhat challenging" to ensure the appropriate tone.

Common error

While "rather hard" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less sophisticated. Vary your language by employing more precise alternatives like "considerably challenging" or "moderately complex" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather hard" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "hard". It serves to qualify the degree of difficulty, indicating something is moderately challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather hard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a moderate level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile enough for various contexts, it's most prevalent in News & Media and Science, with more precise alternatives being preferable in formal writing. It is important to note that while perfectly correct, the word choice should always match the writing style, to avoid any unwanted impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite difficult

Indicates a similar level of difficulty, but with slightly different emphasis.

pretty difficult

Similar to "quite difficult" but with a slightly less formal tone.

somewhat challenging

Suggests a degree of difficulty that requires effort.

fairly tough

Implies a considerable amount of difficulty, possibly requiring resilience.

kind of tough

More informal, similar to "fairly tough" in terms of difficulty.

moderately arduous

A more formal way of expressing considerable difficulty or requiring significant effort.

reasonably demanding

Highlights the extent to which something requires effort or attention.

not easy

A straightforward way to express that something is difficult.

slightly complicated

Focuses on the complexity rather than the general difficulty.

a bit tricky

Suggests the presence of subtleties or hidden difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather hard" to describe something that is moderately difficult or challenging. For example, "The exam was "rather hard", and many students struggled to complete it on time."

What are some alternatives to "rather hard"?

You can use alternatives like "quite difficult", "somewhat challenging", or "fairly tough" depending on the context.

Is "rather hard" formal or informal?

"Rather hard" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally considered more neutral. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "moderately arduous".

What's the difference between "rather hard" and "very hard"?

"Rather hard" indicates a moderate level of difficulty, while "very hard" suggests a significantly higher level. "Very hard" implies something is extremely challenging, whereas "rather hard" suggests it presents some difficulty but is not insurmountable.