very hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires a great deal of effort or is difficult to accomplish. Example: "The exam was very hard, and many students struggled to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very hard.

The New York Times

"I work very hard.

The Economist

"That's very hard".

The New York Times - Arts

Very hard to know.

The New York Times

It's actually very hard".

The New York Times - Magazine

He's worked very hard.

BBC

"It's been very hard.

Independent

Very hard to say.

The New York Times - Arts

We worked very hard".

Independent

Tuesday was very hard.

Independent

2. Work very hard.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing effort, use "very hard" to emphasize dedication and persistence, like "He worked very hard to achieve his goals".

Common error

Avoid using "very hard" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify what makes something difficult, such as "The problem was very hard due to the complex calculations required".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very hard" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to intensify the degree of effort, difficulty, or intensity. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to emphasize the extent of an action or the severity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very hard" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the intensity of effort or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in specific settings. To avoid vagueness, provide context to clarify the nature of the difficulty. Common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, mastering "very hard" enhances precision and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely difficult

Replaces "very" with "extremely" for emphasis.

exceptionally challenging

Uses more formal synonyms for "very" and "hard".

particularly tough

Emphasizes the degree of difficulty.

considerably arduous

Employs stronger and more formal vocabulary.

quite strenuous

Suggests the effort requires significant energy.

remarkably demanding

Highlights the high expectations or requirements involved.

intensely problematic

Focuses on the troublesome nature of the difficulty.

incredibly complicated

Draws attention to the complexity of the task or situation.

severely testing

Implies a rigorous trial or challenge.

painstaking

Emphasizes thoroughness and extreme care.

FAQs

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

You can use "very hard" to describe something requiring significant effort or difficulty, for example, "Learning a new language can be "very hard"".

What are some alternatives to saying "very hard"?

Alternatives include "extremely difficult", "exceptionally challenging", or "particularly tough" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "very hardly" instead of "very hard"?

No, "very hardly" is incorrect. The correct phrase is "very hard". "Hardly" has a different meaning, indicating "barely" or "scarcely".

What's the difference between "hard" and "very hard"?

"Hard" indicates a basic level of difficulty, while ""very hard"" intensifies the degree of difficulty, suggesting a more significant challenge.