hard of

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jasonlulu_2000

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
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Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
There were 22 students who were hard of hearing at NCC. Joan has worked with many of them.

Is the underlined part a natural collocation, which means have difficulty hearing.

Thanks

Jason
 
Yes, it's a very common phrase.
 
Note that it's a fixed phrase. You cannot, for example, be 'hard of seeing'.
 
Note that it's a fixed phrase. You cannot, for example, be 'hard of seeing'.

Wait a minute. Maybe you're on to something. :shock:
 
Note that it's a fixed phrase. You cannot, for example, be 'hard of seeing'.

Do you mean that this phrase is limited to "be hard of hearing"? Not used in any other situation?

Thanks
 
What do you mean by saying "you are on to something."?

I meant, in jest, that 5jj might have begun a new usage of "hard of......." as perhaps in "hard of seeing/smelling/tasting/feeling".

 
Hard of heart exists.
 
Hard of heart exists.
True, but it's not very common. There are only two citations in the COCA, and one in the BNC.
 
And "hard of heart" doesn't apply to a limitation in an ability or a sense. It's more a description of one's personality.
 
True, but it's not very common. There are only two citations in the COCA, and one in the BNC.

Agreed- I had to scratch around to come up with it.
 
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