somewhat hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is moderately difficult or challenging, without being overly intense. Example: "The exam was somewhat hard, but I managed to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Unfortunately, verjuice can be somewhat hard to find.

The New York Times - Food

The answer is somewhat hard to articulate, but here goes.

The New York Times

Direct answers were somewhat hard to come by yesterday.

The New York Times

But the current limits are somewhat hard to interpret.

The Guardian

"The game is actually somewhat hard to win," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

As I've written, Mr. Christie's ideology is somewhat hard to pin down.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I believe that we are, somewhat, hard-wired to cooperate.

The New York Times

For me, his Beethoven is somewhat hard-driven and humorless.

The New York Times - Arts

Bradley had the reputation for being somewhat hard-shelled and also for playing favorites, whatever that means.

The New York Times - Sports

Though the string sound was luscious, the playing overall was somewhat hard-driven, and too blaring in climactic passages.

The New York Times - Arts

Consistent with Hobbs' somewhat hard-edged vocabulary, they're spare but hardly bare.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat hard" to describe a level of difficulty that is noticeable but not overwhelming. It implies a moderate challenge, suitable when you don't want to exaggerate the difficulty.

Common error

While acceptable, "somewhat hard" can sound informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "moderately difficult" or "relatively challenging" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat hard" functions as an intensifier (the adverb "somewhat") modifying the adjective "hard". It serves to qualify or moderate the degree of difficulty being expressed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat hard" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a moderate level of difficulty or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English and finds frequent application across varied sources, from news articles to scientific papers. While versatile, its informal tone means that it may not be suitable for all contexts; professional writing might benefit from opting for more formal synonyms. It is, overall, a useful phrase to convey that something requires effort without being overly taxing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately difficult

Expresses a similar degree of difficulty using a more formal tone.

relatively challenging

Emphasizes the challenging aspect with a slightly more sophisticated word choice.

fairly tough

Uses a more informal and direct synonym for 'hard'.

kind of difficult

Maintains a similar level of informality and expresses a comparable degree of difficulty.

slightly arduous

Replaces 'hard' with a more formal synonym, suggesting a task requiring significant effort.

not exactly easy

Expresses difficulty indirectly, implying that something requires effort.

a bit demanding

Highlights the demanding aspect, suggesting that something requires focus and effort.

somewhat taxing

Emphasizes the depleting or straining effect of the task.

a touch complicated

Focuses on the complexity involved rather than the effort required.

reasonably tricky

Suggests a degree of cunning or skill is needed to overcome the challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat hard" to describe something that presents a moderate level of difficulty, for example: "The problem was "somewhat hard" to solve, but not impossible."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "somewhat hard"?

Alternatives to "somewhat hard" include "moderately difficult", "fairly tough", or "relatively challenging". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "somewhat hard" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "somewhat hard" might be considered too informal for academic or professional contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "moderately difficult" or "relatively demanding".

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

"Somewhat hard" indicates a moderate level of difficulty, while "very hard" implies a significantly greater challenge. The choice depends on accurately reflecting the actual degree of difficulty.