a somewhat tough

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As Elizabeth David wrote in "French Provincial Cooking," "The whole point of a braise is that it turns a somewhat tough piece of meat or an old bird into a succulent and juicy dish that is full of flavor".

The New York Times - Food

Meat, generally a somewhat tough cut of beef or pork, is spiced with chiles and stewed, slowly, with a few choice ingredients.

Los Angeles Times

The idea is to go for a somewhat tough, rugged look, and your footwear will help create the right ambiance.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The House passed a somewhat tougher bill last October.

The New York Times

Blessed with slightly more useful Oscar love nominations for actress (Meryl Streep) and supporting actress (Julia Roberts) August: Osage County nevertheless proved a somewhat tougher sell.

The Guardian - Film

Christopher Dodd, a Democrat now facing a tough re-election fight in Connecticut, is trying to steer a somewhat tougher version of Ms. Maloney's bill through the Senate.

The New York Times

The trend has continued under the Bush administration, which has adopted a somewhat tougher tone toward Iran as officials said they were reviewing American policy toward Tehran.

The New York Times

"The decision to take a somewhat tougher line with Hungary, by threatening to suspend cohesion funds, is not a case of double standards," said Simon Tilford, the chief economist at the Center for European Reform in London.

The New York Times

A somewhat tougher task for Cameron was due to come at the intimate evening dinner for the 10 leaders, when Cameron was to explore whether there was any basis for a peace conference on Syria.

The Guardian

That the nuclear watchdog agency based in Vienna is sounding a somewhat tougher line than the Bush administration is surprising, given that the administration has long criticized it for not pressuring Iran hard enough to curb its nuclear program.

The New York Times

In their first-round West games Saturday night, fourth-seeded Rutgers handily beat Stephen F. Austin, 80-43, aNo.No. 5 Southwest Missouri had a somewhat tougher time against Toledo, winning, 89-71.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the texture of food, use "a somewhat tough" to indicate that it is not entirely tender but not overly hard either.

Common error

Avoid using "a somewhat tough" when the situation is extremely challenging; opt for phrases like "very difficult" or "exceptionally demanding" instead to accurately reflect the intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat tough" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a moderate degree of difficulty, resilience, or resistance. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing the characteristics of objects, situations, or even abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a somewhat tough" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that is moderately challenging or resilient. Ludwig provides examples of its use across various contexts, including news, general knowledge, and scientific articles. Although relatively infrequent, Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. When employing this expression, consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of difficulty or durability. Alternative phrases like "slightly challenging" or "moderately difficult" can be used to provide similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly challenging

Emphasizes a small degree of difficulty compared to the original phrase.

moderately difficult

Highlights a medium level of complexity or hardship.

somewhat demanding

Focuses on the effort required, implying a moderate level of exertion.

a bit arduous

Indicates a task that is laborious but not excessively so.

reasonably resilient

Shifts the focus to the capacity to recover from difficulties.

fairly durable

Highlights the ability to withstand wear and tear.

kind of sturdy

Uses a more casual tone to express a moderate level of robustness.

relatively unyielding

Emphasizes resistance to pressure or force.

a little rugged

Suggests a slightly rough or robust quality.

comparatively inflexible

Indicates a limited capacity to adapt or change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a somewhat tough" to describe something that has a moderate degree of difficulty or resilience, like "The exam was "a somewhat tough" experience, but I managed to pass it."

What are some alternatives to saying "a somewhat tough"?

You can use alternatives such as "slightly challenging", "moderately difficult", or "somewhat demanding" depending on the context.

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

The choice depends on the degree of difficulty. Use ""a somewhat tough"" when something is moderately challenging, and "a very tough" when it is highly challenging.

What's the difference between "a somewhat tough" and "a little tough"?

"A somewhat tough" suggests a slightly higher degree of difficulty or resilience than "a little tough". The former is more formal and precise.