substantial hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing significant difficulties or challenges faced by an individual or group. Example: "The new policy may cause substantial hardship for low-income families who rely on government assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"So you close the street anywhere, and it's a substantial hardship for them.

The New York Times

"The court recognizes that the city's current plan may cause substantial hardship to 18-B attorneys," Justice Singh wrote.

The New York Times

Licentiates earn over twice as much as they did in their previous roles and, if posted to a rural area, are given a substantial hardship allowance.

The New York Times

Nor would these scholars allow refusals of wedding-related services on religious grounds when same-sex couples might suffer "substantial hardship," though not "mere inconvenience or symbolic harm," because similar services or accommodations were unavailable from others.

The New York Times

It allows federal judges to release property to the owner if confiscation by the government causes substantial hardship to the owner, and it extends the time an owner has to challenge the seizure of an asset.

The New York Times

Getting this would, by the way, impose substantial hardship – seniors would be forced into inferior private insurance, and there are good reasons to believe that the true inflation rate facing seniors is actually higher, not lower, than the CPI.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The gold-seekers, called "forty-niners" (as a reference to 1849), traveled by sailing ship and covered wagon and often faced substantial hardships on the trip.

Wikipedia

State regulators plan similar investigations of other health plans in California, and the findings against Blue Cross ratchet up the risk of liability for other insurers, many of whom face lawsuits from consumers who claim they were illegally dumped and subjected to substantial hardships.

Los Angeles Times

Results to date show that the program's most substantial effects were to reduce poverty and material hardship during the 3 years in which the rewards were offered.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Decreased material hardship also increased personal control.

Children and Youth Services Review

Real hardship beckons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation involving considerable difficulty, use "substantial hardship" to convey a sense of significant adversity impacting individuals or groups.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial hardship" to describe minor inconveniences. Ensure the context genuinely reflects a significant negative impact on well-being or resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial hardship" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "hardship". It describes a state or condition of significant difficulty or adversity. The examples from Ludwig illustrate this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial hardship" is a noun phrase used to describe a state of significant difficulty or adversity. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts such as news, academic research, and legal documents. While alternatives like "significant difficulty" or "considerable adversity" exist, "substantial hardship" is particularly effective when emphasizing the significant negative impact of a situation on individuals or groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant difficulty

Focuses on the level of challenge experienced, highlighting the difficulty rather than the suffering.

considerable adversity

Emphasizes the challenges and obstacles faced in a situation.

major disadvantage

Highlights the unfavorable position or circumstance resulting in difficulty.

severe privation

Focuses on the lack of basic necessities and the resulting suffering.

extreme destitution

Highlights the state of utter poverty and deprivation.

acute suffering

Emphasizes the intense pain and distress experienced.

serious affliction

Highlights the cause of suffering, often related to illness or misfortune.

profound distress

Focuses on the deep emotional or mental anguish experienced.

notable economic strain

Specifically highlights financial burdens and difficulties.

remarkable struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in overcoming obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial hardship" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial hardship" to describe situations where someone experiences significant difficulties or adversity. For example: "The policy change caused "substantial hardship" for many families."

What are some alternatives to "substantial hardship"?

Alternatives include "significant difficulty", "considerable adversity", or "major disadvantage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "significant hardship" instead of "substantial hardship"?

Yes, "significant hardship" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both "substantial" and "significant" indicate a considerable degree of difficulty or adversity.

What distinguishes "substantial hardship" from "mere inconvenience"?

"Substantial hardship" implies a serious negative impact on one's well-being, resources, or ability to function, whereas "mere inconvenience" refers to minor annoyances or disruptions that do not cause significant distress or difficulty.