a rough period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult time in someone's life or experience. Example: "After losing his job, he went through a rough period that tested his resilience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It was a rough period," Casey said.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a rough period in the otherwise storied history of CBS News.

The New York Times - Magazine

'When you go through a rough period, I'm sure that it just makes you become stronger.

The Guardian - Sport

In recent years she has gone through a rough period as a singer.

The New York Times - Arts

As for St. Brigid's, it has been a rough period, Mr. Torres said, but the end is in sight.

The New York Times

The company is going through a rough period, the analysts say, and the stock price reflects that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's just a rough, rough period in one's life.

The Guardian

The company borrowed the money from Mr. Slim in early 2009 amid a particularly rough period in its history.

The New York Times

Over three years, a generally rough period for the emerging markets, the fund returned 2.5percentt a year, on average, versus a loss of 8.0percentt for the average fund in the category.

The New York Times

But Mr. Shah says Bristol-Myers Squibeginninginning to pull out of a very rough period, and, in fact, he said, "In my opinion Bristol Myers probably has the strongest position".

The New York Times

It went through a whole rough period, and then four episodes in they found their feet".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rough period", provide context to explain the specific challenges or difficulties being faced to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a rough period" as a vague descriptor. Instead, elaborate on the exact nature of the challenges experienced during that time to give readers a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough period" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a specific duration marked by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough period" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a time of difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts but is also applicable in formal and informal settings. When using the phrase, it’s best to provide specific details about the nature of the challenges experienced. If you're seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "a difficult time" or "a challenging phase" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult time

Replaces "rough" with "difficult", keeping the same structure and meaning.

a challenging phase

Substitutes "rough period" with "challenging phase", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a tough situation

Replaces "period" with "situation", focusing on the state of affairs.

a hard spell

Uses "spell" instead of "period", implying a limited duration of difficulty.

a trying time

Substitutes "rough" with "trying", emphasizing the test of endurance.

a problematic phase

Replaces "rough" with "problematic", highlighting the issues faced.

a period of hardship

Replaces "rough" with "of hardship", putting emphasis on adversity.

a time of adversity

Focuses on the challenging circumstances, using "adversity" instead of "roughness".

a spell of trouble

Emphasizes the difficulties experienced during the specified period.

a phase of difficulty

Highlights the difficult nature of the phase.

FAQs

How can I use "a rough period" in a sentence?

You can use "a rough period" to describe a time of difficulty or challenge, such as "The company went through "a rough period" after the economic downturn".

What's a more formal way to say "a rough period"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a challenging phase" or "a time of adversity" instead of ""a rough period"".

Are there any synonyms for "a rough period" that emphasize the temporary nature of the difficulty?

Yes, "a hard spell" or "a trying time" both suggest that the difficulties are temporary, similar to ""a rough period"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a rough period"?

Yes, ""a rough period"" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a challenging time.