substantially harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially harder" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is significantly more difficult than another thing or task. Example: "The new math curriculum is substantially harder than the previous one, requiring students to develop advanced problem-solving skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

These small issues raise concerns that reaching agreement on large politically risky issues will be substantially harder.

The Guardian - Business

A political fishing expedition through a professor's files would make it substantially harder to conduct research and communicate openly with colleagues.

The New York Times

On the other hand, if a more ambitious climber were to reach the spot first, they might make the route substantially harder by placing bolts farther apart or along a more difficult line.

The Guardian - Travel

Unfortunately, that enlightened ruling was offset when the court, by a closer, 5-to-4 margin, made it substantially harder for plaintiffs who bring successful lawsuits to enforce civil rights and environmental laws to obtain reimbursement for their legal fees.

The New York Times

In one move, Osborne has made the job of persuading voters the Tories have changed substantially harder – and the chance of winning an outright majority in 2015 significantly lower.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, nanoindentation showed that the wear track was substantially harder than the base metal.

Acta Materialia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Sledgehammer manufacturers should be paying royalties for chimpanzee patents on "A Method for Pounding One Thing With Another Thing Comprising of a Substantially Hard Material Such that the Previous Thing Breaks".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is shown that even though the contributions of the cross couplings are usually insignificant, they may become important if the vibration isolators are substantially hard as compared with the local shell stiffness or impedance.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Make sure the shuriken you are using are not of substantially hard material that could hurt.

WikiHow

Igor Stomp, chairman of the communications committee at the society, estimated that the cost of a basic one-day job by two climbers might start at $2,000 — and rise substantially for harder tasks.

The New York Times

It is remarkable that the composite is substantially stronger and harder than each constituent phase individually.

Advanced Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially harder" when you want to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty, rather than a slight or negligible change. It implies a notable difference that impacts the effort or resources needed.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially harder" in extremely informal or casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday speech. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much harder" or "way harder" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially harder" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to emphasize the degree to which something is more difficult. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially harder" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a significant increase in difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in overly informal settings where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember to use it to highlight a notable difference in effort or resources required, and consider related phrases like "significantly more difficult" or "considerably more challenging" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more difficult

Emphasizes the degree of difficulty as notable and important.

considerably more challenging

Highlights the demanding nature of the task or situation.

markedly tougher

Focuses on the increased resilience or endurance required.

appreciably more complex

Stresses the increased intricacy and involved nature of the task.

noticeably more arduous

Highlights the laboriousness and effort required.

distinctly more strenuous

Emphasizes the demanding physical or mental effort.

materially more demanding

Focuses on the increased requirements or expectations.

vastly more complicated

Stresses the large degree of intricacy added.

substantially more laborious

Highlights a significant increase in the amount of work required.

essentially more taxing

Focuses on how the subject can drain someone's resources.

FAQs

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

The phrase "substantially harder" is used to describe something that is significantly more difficult than something else. For example: "The second level of the game is "substantially harder" than the first."

What are some alternatives to "substantially harder"?

Alternatives to "substantially harder" include "significantly more difficult", "considerably more challenging", or "markedly tougher". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "substantially more hard" instead of "substantially harder"?

No, the correct phrase is "substantially harder". "Harder" is the comparative form of "hard", and using "more hard" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "slightly harder" and "substantially harder"?

"Slightly harder" indicates a small increase in difficulty, while "substantially harder" implies a significant and noticeable increase. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.