though hard

USAGE SUMMARY

'though hard' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express difficulty or contrast. For example: "Though hard, she worked to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This belief, though hard to dispute, can feel narrowing.

The New York Times - Books

Its natural resources, though hard to get at, are amazing.

The New Yorker

Though hard and superhard ceramic nanocrystalline thin films exhibit extraordinary strength, they typically suffer from brittleness.

Acta Materialia

The monkeys, though hard to count, seem to be holding their own.

The Economist

This pervasive loss of confidence, though hard to precisely measure, is of enormous consequence.

The New York Times

These, though hard to monitor, could mean a lot if they work.

The Economist

Their animals are their wealth & their lives, though hard, are self-sufficient.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though hard-headed reasoning says Birdman is the strong, non-Boyhood candidate.

The Guardian - Film

Slatkin, though hard-working, fair-minded, serious to a fault, never won the trust of D.O. officers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, moderates expressed hope that an accord could be reached at future negotiating sessions, though hard-liners suspect of the entire process were predictably more pessimistic.

Los Angeles Times

The slump has hit pay rather than jobs (see chart 3).Though hard for those whose pay has been frozen, this is a good thing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though hard" to introduce a contrasting idea after acknowledging a difficulty or challenge. It effectively balances the acknowledgement of an obstacle with the introduction of a counterpoint.

Common error

Avoid using "though hard" when a simple "although" or "though" would suffice. "Though hard" is best used when you want to specifically emphasize the difficulty being overcome, rather than just introducing a general contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though hard" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a main clause by expressing a concession or contrast. Ludwig AI indicates that the usage is grammatically correct. Examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate how it connects two contrasting ideas, acknowledging a difficulty while introducing an opposing point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though hard" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express a concession or contrast, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, remember that you are acknowledging an initial difficulty and then immediately contrasting it with another aspect. Consider alternatives like "although difficult" or "even if challenging" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "though hard" to enhance your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although difficult

Replaces "hard" with its synonym "difficult", maintaining the concessive meaning.

though challenging

Replaces "hard" with its synonym "challenging", maintaining the concessive meaning.

even if challenging

Emphasizes the challenging aspect while still presenting a contrast.

despite the difficulty

Uses a prepositional phrase to convey the same meaning, focusing on the difficulty.

in spite of the struggle

Similar to "despite the difficulty", but emphasizes the struggle involved.

while challenging

Expresses concession using "while" to indicate a contrast.

notwithstanding the hardship

A more formal way of expressing concession, highlighting the hardship.

difficult as it may be

Inverts the structure for emphasis, still conveying the same concessive idea.

even though it's tough

Uses a more informal word, "tough", to replace "hard" offering a conversational tone.

admittedly difficult

Concedes the difficulty upfront before continuing with a contrasting point.

FAQs

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

You can use "though hard" to introduce a contrasting idea after acknowledging a difficulty. For example, "Though hard, she persisted and achieved her goal."

What are some alternatives to "though hard"?

Alternatives include "although difficult", "even if challenging", or "despite the difficulty". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "though hard" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "though hard". This emphasizes the contrasting element right from the beginning. For example: "Though hard, the task was ultimately rewarding."

What's the difference between "though hard" and "although it was hard"?

"Though hard" is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea as "although it was hard". The former is often preferred for its brevity and impact.