What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stiff
Example
The new shoes were so stiff that they gave me blisters. [stiff: adjective]
Example
He walked with a stiff gait after the injury. [stiff: adjective]
Example
The meeting had a stiff atmosphere due to the serious topic. [stiff: adjective]
hard
Example
The rock was too hard to break with a hammer. [hard: adjective]
Example
Learning a new language can be hard, but it's worth it. [hard: adjective]
Example
She had a hard life growing up in poverty. [hard: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hard is more commonly used than stiff in everyday language. Hard is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stiff is less common and often used in specific situations such as describing physical objects or formal atmospheres.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stiff and hard?
While stiff is typically associated with a formal or serious tone, hard is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
