sufficiently hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficiently hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of difficulty that meets a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The exam was sufficiently hard to challenge even the most prepared students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Too bad Ms. Glass has not worked sufficiently hard to dramatize her narrative.

The New York Times

But I've known sufficiently hard times not to be affected by wealth.

The Guardian

Cazorla hit it straight at the goalkeeper, but did so sufficiently hard that it still flew into the net.

Independent

If men or women work sufficiently hard at weight training, the muscle they build is more efficient, with more mitochondria, which are the cell's energy factories.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Trump also targeted Mrs. Clinton for not taking a sufficiently hard line on crime, chastising her for refusing to say "law and order".

The New York Times

Any undertaking of confidentiality should be as restricted as possible and not entered into until Nice had tried sufficiently hard to obtain permission to disclose.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr. Rankin's scabrous, panoramic view of that city (where he lives), and of its resident gumshoe John Rebus, is sufficiently hard-boiled and arch to have made him the most popular mystery writer in Britain.

The New York Times - Books

"That comes down, in my view, to: first of all, was there, before the thing became a project to start with, before it became announced as a priority of the government, was there a sufficiently hard-headed assessment done at the gateway stage?

The Guardian

Critics have chastised Stewart for not conducting sufficiently hard-hitting interviews with his political guests, some of whom he may have lampooned in previous segments.

Wikipedia

But as with so many films that touch on diversity, the movie has also just as quickly drawn skepticism, in this case for not being sufficiently hard-hitting about the racism of the era.

Los Angeles Times

Last week's ranking: 6. Weirdo climate change deniers may mimic Pruitt and complain behind closed doors that he's not sufficiently hard-core, but the EPA director's real patrons -- big oil, gas, coal, and chemical companies -- are plenty satisfied with his wholesale abandonment of environmental protections.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sufficiently hard" when you want to emphasize that something meets a necessary level of difficulty or intensity for a specific purpose or outcome. For example, "The training was sufficiently hard to prepare them for the competition."

Common error

While "sufficiently hard" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "hard enough" or "tough enough" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficiently hard" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or describing a situation's required intensity. Ludwig provides various examples that illustrate this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficiently hard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies an adequate level of difficulty or intensity. According to Ludwig, it is acceptable and appears in varied contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "adequately difficult" or "appropriately challenging", "sufficiently hard" tends to be more appropriate in formal settings. When writing, it’s valuable to consider the context and the desired level of formality to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequately difficult

Replaces "sufficiently" with "adequately", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

sufficiently challenging

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" and maintains the original level of intensity.

appropriately challenging

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging", emphasizing the stimulating aspect of difficulty.

difficult enough

Simply replaces the word "hard" with "difficult" without altering the overall meaning.

tough enough

Uses a more informal tone while still conveying an adequate level of difficulty.

challenging enough

Swaps "hard" for "challenging", focusing on the stimulating aspect of difficulty.

hard enough

Omits "sufficiently", relying on context to imply the required degree.

moderately difficult

Indicates a medium level of difficulty, implying it is adequate for a purpose.

acceptably difficult

Replaces "sufficiently" with "acceptably", focusing on meeting a minimum requirement.

passably challenging

Suggests the difficulty is just enough to be considered acceptable or satisfactory.

FAQs

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

You can use "sufficiently hard" to describe something that meets a certain standard of difficulty or intensity. For example, "The exam was "sufficiently hard" to challenge even the most prepared students."

What are some alternatives to "sufficiently hard"?

Alternatives include "adequately difficult", "appropriately challenging", or "tough enough", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "sufficiently hard" or "hard enough"?

"Sufficiently hard" is more formal and emphasizes meeting a specific requirement, while "hard enough" is more informal and general. The better choice depends on the context and audience. Consider if a more precise and formal tone is needed before opting for "sufficiently hard".

In what contexts is "sufficiently hard" most appropriate?

"Sufficiently hard" is often appropriate in formal, academic, or professional settings where precision and a certain level of formality are expected. You'll find it less in conversational speech. For example, you would use "sufficiently hard" in business presentations, research reports, or formal instructions.