still harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still harder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is even more difficult than it was previously or in comparison to something else. Example: "The exam was challenging, but the final project is still harder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it will be still harder tomorrow".

The New York Times

Recent privacy regulations have made the task still harder.

The New Yorker

"But it's still harder for women than men".

The New York Times - Style

But it is still harder for mothers to reach the top.

The New York Times

It will be still harder for Russia to try to revive the same arguments now.

The Economist

The Alaskan ferries' sudden boycott of Prince Rupert has made access still harder.

The Economist

Tug still harder on the yarn ball of these arguments and the filaments come apart.

The New York Times

What the consequences of all this will be is still harder to say.

The Guardian

Sometimes it is still harder to say the words "my wife" than I'd like to admit.

The New York Times

Then, in typical Verlander fashion, as the game progressed into the later innings, he started throwing still harder.

The New York Times - Sports

Still harder was grasping that within that room, there was an opening into yet another room, the human brain.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still harder" to emphasize an increase in difficulty compared to a previous state or expectation. For instance, "If you think the first level was tough, the next one is "still harder".

Common error

Avoid using "still harder" when simply introducing a difficult task without a prior reference point. Instead of saying "Getting funding is "still harder"," specify the comparison: "Getting funding now is "still harder" than it was five years ago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still harder" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a comparative degree of difficulty. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase intensifies the level of challenge beyond a previous state or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still harder" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that intensifies the degree of difficulty relative to a prior state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "even more challenging" or "increasingly difficult" exist, "still harder" provides a concise and direct way to express an elevated level of challenge. Therefore, writers can confidently use this phrase to add emphasis when comparing levels of difficulty. It’s important to ensure that the context provides a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even more challenging

Replaces "harder" with a synonym, "challenging", intensifying the degree.

increasingly difficult

Uses "difficult" as a substitute for "harder", suggesting a progressive increase in difficulty.

even tougher

Employs "tougher" to replace "harder", conveying a sense of resilience required.

more arduous

Substitutes "harder" with "arduous", implying a task requiring significant effort and endurance.

all the more difficult

Adds emphasis to the difficulty, highlighting a greater degree of challenge.

an even greater challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, emphasizing its increased magnitude.

yet more strenuous

Replaces "harder" with "strenuous", stressing the physical or mental effort required.

considerably more demanding

Emphasizes the increased demands or requirements of a task or situation.

noticeably more complicated

Highlights the added complexity, suggesting a greater level of intricacy.

markedly more problematic

Focuses on the increased problems or difficulties associated with a situation.

FAQs

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

Use "still harder" to indicate that something is more difficult compared to something else already mentioned. For example: "The first test was challenging, but the second test was "still harder".

What's a good alternative to "still harder"?

Alternatives include "even more challenging", "increasingly difficult", or "even tougher" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "still harder" or "even harder"?

Both "still harder" and "even harder" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "still harder" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "still harder" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when comparing levels of difficulty in a clear and concise manner.