this looks hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this looks hard" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing your perception of difficulty regarding a task or situation. Example: "Looking at the math problem, I thought to myself, this looks hard." Alternative expressions include "this seems difficult" and "this appears challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With the budget so tight, this looks hard.

The Economist

"This looks hard to achieve, not least because of a highly acrimonious recent relationship between Rajoy and Sanchez.

Independent

"I don't want people to know what I do in my spare time," he says.At first blush all this looks hard to square with the country's 25m Facebook accounts (even Mr Stapelfeld has a Facebook profile, albeit under a pseudonym).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If Mr Obama is to be re-elected, he may have to win more elderly votes and that means convincing them that he will not gut their care.For a while, this looked hard.

The Economist

But that looks hard too.

The New York Times

As fantasy teams go, this one looks hard to beat, and the program is packed with favorites, including "An Mignon," "Der König in Thule," "Gretchen am Spinnrade" and "Szene aus Goethes Faust".

The New York Times - Arts

A terrorist who looks hard at this situation will see that attacking the electrical infrastructure may not give much "bang for the buck" compared to other alternatives.

The New Yorker

This is a question that looks hard but is truly easy to answer.

Los Angeles Times

Even an anodyne diplomatic statement looks hard.

The Economist

It looks hard and uncompromising.

The Guardian - Film

That timing looks hard.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this looks hard", ensure the context clearly establishes what "this" refers to. Be specific in your description to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this looks hard" without clearly defining what "this" refers to. For example, instead of saying "This looks hard", specify "This math problem looks hard" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this looks hard" functions as a statement of perception, indicating an initial assessment of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The word 'this' refers to something concrete or abstract that is being evaluated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this looks hard" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey an initial impression of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. While not overly formal, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly news and media and general conversation. Be mindful of the context when using it, ensuring that "this" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "this seems challenging" or "this appears difficult" can be used for subtle variations in tone. While less common than alternatives, its usage is acceptable and understandable in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems challenging

Replaces "looks hard" with a synonym that emphasizes the demanding nature of something.

this appears difficult

Substitutes "looks hard" with a more formal and direct expression of difficulty.

this presents a challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, rather than the appearance of difficulty.

this is no easy task

Emphasizes that the task is not simple, implying difficulty.

this will be tough

Uses a more informal term ("tough") to describe the expected difficulty.

this is going to be difficult

Expresses the expectation of difficulty in a future tense.

this is a hard nut to crack

Uses an idiom to convey the idea that something is difficult to solve or achieve.

this is proving to be difficult

Indicates that the difficulty is already being experienced.

this requires significant effort

Focuses on the effort needed, highlighting the demanding nature of the task.

this demands careful attention

Highlights the need for attentiveness, suggesting the task's complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "this looks hard" in a sentence?

Use "this looks hard" to express your perception of difficulty regarding a task or situation. For example: "Looking at the instructions, I thought, "this looks hard"".

What are some alternatives to saying "this looks hard"?

You can use alternatives like "this seems challenging", "this appears difficult", or "this presents a challenge" depending on the context.

Is "this looks hard" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this looks hard" is grammatically correct. The subject "this" is followed by the verb "looks" and the adjective "hard".

When is it appropriate to use "this looks hard"?

It's appropriate to use "this looks hard" in informal or neutral contexts when you want to express that something seems difficult or challenging at first glance. Avoid it in formal or business settings because it may be deemed too informal.