a slightly tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a minor degree of toughness, often in relation to food or materials. Example: "The steak was a slightly tough, but still flavorful and enjoyable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

One final tip: even a very fresh fennel bulb can have a slightly tough exterior.

The New York Times

"We had a slightly tough start with a few players late back after international duty over the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Too many of the critiques of the Administration have to do with the President's character and disposition, or whether he went on "The View" or met with visiting dignitaries (that one is a slightly tough sell for Romney, given that, in the fund-raising video that got him in trouble last week, he referred to the show as "high-risk").

The New Yorker

"On a slightly tough wicket to get 290 was encouraging.

BBC

Undress To Kill This is a slightly tough mission, because there are three guys to kill.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Both teams have had tough schedules, with the Patriots having a slightly tougher one.

The New York Times

The Sabres have a slightly tougher schedule, playing Thursday in Philadelphia and Saturday in Boston.

The New York Times

But Lithuania (population 3.5m) has nudged the European Union (population 500m) into a slightly tougher stance towards Russia.

The Economist

Baltimore has had a slightly tougher schedule, making these two teams about as identical as they come.

The New York Times

If gun-owners feel somehow stigmatized by this, they need to grow a slightly tougher skin to match the heat they're packing.

The New York Times

Fish had a slightly tougher time in his third-round match against the South African Kevin Anderson, with two of three sets going to tie breaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "a slightly tough" to indicate a pleasant chewiness rather than an undesirable hardness. For example, "The pasta had a slightly tough texture, indicating it was cooked al dente."

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly tough" in formal or academic writing where more precise language is required. Instead of saying "The research presented a slightly tough challenge", opt for phrases like "presented a moderately complex challenge" or "posed a significant obstacle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly tough" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a quality of being mildly difficult or firm. It indicates a degree of resistance or challenge that is not overwhelming but is still noticeable. Ludwig examples show usage describing food texture or task difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly tough" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes something as moderately difficult or firm. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media, as well as general online content. Its usage is generally neutral, making it versatile for various contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in formal writing. When employing "a slightly tough", it is essential to consider the specific context and audience to ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed. Remember to avoid overusing it in formal contexts and consider more precise alternatives when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging

Replaces "slightly tough" with a synonym for difficulty, shifting the focus to the challenge aspect.

a little firm

Simpler phrasing using "a little" to indicate a small degree of firmness.

a tad difficult

Uses more informal language ("a tad") to convey a similar level of slight difficulty.

moderately firm

Focuses on the physical characteristic of firmness rather than difficulty, suitable for describing textures.

mildly resistant

Emphasizes resistance to pressure or force rather than overall toughness.

reasonably sturdy

Shifts the focus to the robustness or durability of something, implying a mild degree of toughness.

somewhat unyielding

Replaces "tough" with "unyielding", focusing on a lack of flexibility or pliability.

not too soft

Uses a negative construction to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the absence of excessive softness.

marginally arduous

Employs a more formal synonym for difficult ("arduous"), indicating a sophisticated register.

a touch rigid

Implies a slight lack of flexibility, similar to being tough but with a focus on stiffness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly tough" to describe the texture of food, the difficulty of a task, or the nature of a material. For instance, "The meat was "a slightly tough", but still flavorful" or "The problem presented "a slightly tough" challenge".

What are some alternatives to "a slightly tough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat challenging", "moderately firm", or "a tad difficult".

Is it acceptable to use "a slightly tough" in professional communication?

While generally acceptable, it's best to consider your audience. In formal professional contexts, more precise language might be preferable. For less formal communication, "a slightly tough" is perfectly fine.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a slightly tough"?

Avoid using "a slightly tough" when describing extremely negative qualities, as it downplays the severity. For example, instead of saying "The situation was "a slightly tough"", when the situation is actually a dangerous one, it's better to describe it in a more precise way. The better descriptive phrases can be extremely dangerous