What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hardship
Example
The soldiers endured many hardships during their time in the war. [hardships: noun]
Example
Living in poverty can be a great hardship for many families. [hardship: noun]
suffering
Example
The patient was suffering from severe headaches and nausea. [suffering: verb]
Example
The family went through a lot of suffering after the death of their son. [suffering: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suffering is a more common word than hardship, especially in the context of medical or psychological conditions. Hardship is more commonly used in the context of social or economic challenges, such as poverty, war, or natural disasters.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hardship and suffering?
Both hardship and suffering are neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
