steadily harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steadily harder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is increasingly difficult over time. Example: "As the project progressed, the challenges became steadily harder, requiring more effort and creativity from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"He won't sleep for long," Mr Barquinha says, evenly.Down-and-outs have become steadily harder to find.

The Economist

Breathing became steadily harder for him, until we had to put him in the I.C.U., intubate him, and place him on a ventilator.

The New Yorker

It is getting steadily harder to understand how Russian leaders think their stubborn support for Mr. Assad and his reign of terror could help them, the Syrian people or regional stability.

The New York Times

Sunday's 15th stage is the third in a trilogy of mountain stages which have been designed to get steadily harder.

BBC

Things at home have gotten steadily harder, too.

Huffington Post

It became steadily harder for the rest to keep their balance on the hull, with waves washing across it.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Photographing the down side is a hard way to make a living and has steadily become harder.

The New York Times - Arts

"Trump is methodically destroying the moderate camp in his Administration and moving steadily crazy-hard right," Joseph Cirincione, the president of Ploughshares Fund, an N.G.O.

The New Yorker

Nyad doesn't swim fast — just over two miles an hour — but she swims steadily, rocking hard to each side to ease the strain she feels in her shoulders, slipping her lead arm into the water at a shallow angle to save what's left of her rotator cuff.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite that effort, Microsoft's share of the online search audience has declined steadily, making it harder to persuade advertisers to use the system.

The New York Times - Tech

Flooring compositions based on epoxy resins have developed steadily, giving a hard, chemical-resistant, seamless, and firmly adherent floor covering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steadily harder" to describe situations where the increase in difficulty is gradual and consistent over time, rather than sudden or intermittent.

Common error

Avoid using "steadily harder" when the difficulty spikes abruptly or changes erratically; ensure the context implies a continuous and progressive increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily harder" functions as an intensifying modifier, where the adverb "steadily" amplifies the adjective "harder". Ludwig examples show its use in describing gradual increases in difficulty or intensity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steadily harder" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual increase in difficulty. Ludwig examples and Ludwig AI confirm its validity and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of continuous progression. When writing, remember to use "steadily harder" when illustrating a gradual and consistent rise in difficulty, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning and context. Related alternatives include "increasingly challenging" or "progressively difficult", if you wish to be more specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging

Focuses on the challenge aspect, implying a growth in difficulty.

progressively difficult

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the increasing difficulty.

gradually tougher

Uses "tougher" as a synonym for harder, emphasizing resilience required.

becoming more arduous

Introduces a sense of labor and effort involved in the increased difficulty.

mounting in difficulty

Suggests that the difficulty is accumulating or piling up.

escalating in intensity

Shifts focus from difficulty to the level of intensity.

growing more intense

Highlights the increasing degree of intensity.

more and more demanding

Focuses on the increasing requirements and expectations.

bit by bit harder

Emphasizes the incremental progression of difficulty.

step by step more difficult

Highlights the gradual nature of increasing difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "steadily harder" in a sentence?

Use "steadily harder" to describe a process or situation where difficulty increases gradually over time. For instance, "As the project progressed, the tasks became "steadily harder"".

What are some alternatives to saying "steadily harder"?

Alternatives include "increasingly challenging", "progressively difficult", or "gradually tougher". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "steadily harder" grammatically correct?

Yes, "steadily harder" is grammatically correct. "Steadily" is an adverb modifying the adjective "harder", indicating a gradual increase in difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "steadily harder"?

It is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the gradual and continuous increase in difficulty, such as describing the progression of a training regimen or the escalating challenges in a project.