perplexed

[yuanmingqing]

Dear Sir,

I am perplexed about the following two questions and look forward to benefiting from your wisdom:-

1. Which one of the statements sound correct?
a. During this period of financial turmoil, President is having it hard or
b. During this period of financial turmoil, President has it hard.

2. What does it mean when someone says "I won't trade my friends for anything. They are so good"? Does it mean that my friends are so good that I will keep them no matter what?

Kind regards,
Yuanmingqing

[Soup]

1a. During this period of financial turmoil, the President is having it hard. <awkward>

2b. During this period of financial turmoil, the President has it hard. < What's the meaning you're after here?>


2. My friends are so good that I will keep them no matter what.

[yuanmingqing]

Dear Soup,

"During this period of financial turmoil, the President has it hard." It does not make sense at all, does it? I meant to say the President is having a hard time coping with the tough situation. Does my sentence convey this meaning at all?

Regards,
Yuanmingqing

[Soup]

I meant to say the President is having a hard time coping with the tough situation. Does my sentence convey this meaning at all?

Yes, and no. It depends on the context its housed within. But, then, it would still be iffy.

I like your second sentence best:

Ex: The President is having a hard time coping with the tough situation.