vast hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or extensive level of difficulty or suffering experienced by individuals or groups. Example: "The community faced vast hardship after the natural disaster, struggling to rebuild their lives and homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Well, consider the idea of raising the Medicare eligibility age — a move that would create vast hardship.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even youngsters with vast experience of hardship appear miffed at having to share one blanket between ten.

The Economist

But should industry collapse, causing widespread unemployment, and should our vast agricultural population suffer hardship, the indications are that there will be a nationwide clamor for Henry Ford.

Forbes

When monsoon fails, it causes severe hardship to a vast population of people.

Huffington Post

The undemocratic, appointed joint select committee of six Democrats and six Republicans, the "super committee," failed to reach an agreement that would have unnecessarily imposed untold hardship on the vast majority of those of us already struggling in a bad economy.

Huffington Post

They allow their residents to buy their way out of the hardships that afflict vast multitudes in this country of more than one billion.

The New York Times

I don't get to walk through an open world, but here I think that's not such a hardship; the world's a vast desert, barren and bland, and traversing spaces in Wasteland 2 is a slow business.

The Guardian - Tech

The former are the survivors, who live relatively safe, sanitised lives within a vast dome, while the latter exist in appalling hardship in a contaminated wasteland beyond the dome.

The Guardian - Books

For all that, Mr. Obama used the occasion to address "this winter of our hardship" and promote his plan for vast federal spending accompanied by tax cuts to stimulate the economy and begin addressing energy, environmental and infrastructure needs.

The New York Times

The years of war, coupled with an even longer period of neglect, meant the vast majority of the population was living in hardship.

BBC

World War II caused a drastic setback to the breed, with the vast majority of breeding stock destroyed because of the hardship.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of events like natural disasters or economic downturns, use "vast hardship" to convey the widespread suffering experienced by affected populations. This emphasizes the scale and intensity of the challenges faced.

Common error

Avoid using "vast hardship" to describe minor inconveniences or individual struggles. The phrase is most effective when illustrating widespread and severe difficulties affecting a large group or community.

Linguistic Context

"Vast hardship" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vast" modifies the noun "hardship". It describes the scale or intensity of the suffering or difficulty being experienced. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Vast hardship" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe widespread suffering or difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively conveys the significant impact of challenging circumstances on a large population. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the scale and severity of the situation, avoiding its use for minor inconveniences. Related phrases include "immense suffering" and "extreme adversity", offering alternative ways to express the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense suffering

Replaces "hardship" with a synonym emphasizing the emotional and physical pain experienced.

extreme adversity

Focuses on the challenging and unfavorable conditions faced.

great difficulty

Highlights the significant challenges and obstacles encountered.

severe privation

Emphasizes the lack of basic necessities and comforts.

extensive deprivation

Focuses on the widespread lack of essential resources and opportunities.

widespread misery

Highlights the general state of unhappiness and suffering.

profound struggle

Emphasizes the deep and intense effort required to overcome challenges.

significant tribulation

Focuses on experiences that test one's endurance and faith.

considerable affliction

Highlights the source of suffering and distress.

substantial distress

Emphasizes the emotional and mental anguish caused by hardship.

FAQs

What does "vast hardship" mean?

The phrase "vast hardship" describes a situation involving widespread and significant suffering or difficulty. It suggests that a large number of people are experiencing serious challenges.

What are some synonyms for "vast hardship"?

Alternatives to "vast hardship" include "immense suffering", "extreme adversity", or "great difficulty" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

You might say, "The economic crisis caused "vast hardship" for many families in the region." This indicates that many families experienced significant economic difficulties.

Is "vast hardship" the same as "economic hardship"?

While related, "economic hardship" specifically refers to financial difficulties. "Vast hardship" is a broader term that can encompass various forms of suffering, including economic, social, and emotional challenges affecting a large population.