a relatively tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat difficult or challenging in comparison to other things. Example: "The exam was a relatively tough challenge, but I managed to pass it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Plant cells are also surrounded by a relatively tough but elastic wall.

Britannica

Until now, Hartung had taken a relatively tough line in response to claims by descendants of Jewish collectors.

The Guardian - Arts

Over all, soccer has been a relatively tough sell at these Games, and this disappointing result is not likely to whip up fervor.

The New York Times - Sports

That may give banks a freer hand to return capital to shareholders than they had in 2010, when regulators took a relatively tough stance.

The New York Times

The most pressing concern for banks is a relatively tough new rule that could force banks to build up more capital.

The New York Times

Even in ideal conditions, the pass is a relatively tough climb, given the lack of oxygen and danger of altitude sickness.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They'll have to manually follow people in Meerkat to build a social graph, which is relatively tough to do right now, as there's no user search in the app.

TechCrunch

On the other hand, American law is relatively tough on patents: if a firm has an idea, it can protect it.In Ms Saxenian's words, "the beauty of Silicon Valley is that the culture and the structure reinforce each other".

The Economist

And the skirt steak offers a master class in how to optimize this relatively tough cut of beef; prepared with a spice rub, then pan-seared, sliced across the grain and laid atop an ambrosial succotash of sweet corn, giant white beans, cubed chorizo and scallions.

The New York Times

The bands were to some extent rivals, but mostly offered support and a social network in what were relatively tough times.

The Guardian - Music

Nevertheless, that relatively tough period for the country makes it a great time to buy property, says Jonathan Choi, whose successful investments in the country since 1971 helped him rank No. 35 on latest Hong Kong Rich List, with wealth of $950 million.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relatively tough", ensure that the context provides a clear comparison. What is it tough compared to? This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively tough" as a generic descriptor without specifying what the subject is tough compared to. This can make your writing vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively tough" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating that something possesses a quality of toughness to a certain degree when compared to something else. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relatively tough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is moderately challenging or difficult when compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English across a variety of contexts. While frequently found in news and media sources, where it provides a nuanced assessment, it's important to provide a clear comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "fairly difficult" or "moderately challenging" can offer subtle variations in emphasis, as highlighted by the related phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly difficult

Emphasizes difficulty more directly than "tough".

a moderately challenging

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the challenge aspect.

a somewhat demanding

Focuses on the demands or requirements involved.

a comparatively rigorous

Highlights the strictness or thoroughness involved.

a reasonably arduous

Emphasizes the effort and exertion required.

a notably stringent

Highlights the strictness and precision of something.

a considerably severe

Focuses on the intensity or seriousness of something.

a markedly exacting

Emphasizes the high standards and precision required.

a noticeably firm

Highlights the strength or resoluteness of something.

a palpably rigid

Emphasizes the inflexibility or strictness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively tough" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively tough" to describe something that presents a moderate level of difficulty or challenge compared to something else. For example: "The exam was "a relatively tough" one, but I managed to pass."

What's a good alternative to "a relatively tough"?

Alternatives include "a fairly difficult", "a moderately challenging", or "a somewhat demanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a relatively tough" or "a very tough"?

"A relatively tough" implies a comparison, suggesting it's tough in relation to something else. "A very tough" simply emphasizes the high degree of toughness without a direct comparison. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning and context.

What does "relatively" mean in the phrase "a relatively tough"?

The word "relatively" indicates that the degree of toughness is being assessed in comparison to something else. It suggests that the subject is not extremely tough in an absolute sense, but tougher when compared to a specific standard or alternative.