a tough beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult start to a situation, project, or experience. Example: "Despite facing a tough beginning, the team managed to overcome the obstacles and achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It was a tough beginning," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Purchased to replace the departed Steve Bruce, O'Neill faced a tough beginning against the Crazy Gang of Wimbledon at Plough Lane.

The Guardian - Sport

There were discussions around whether it glamorised sexual violence against women through its nuanced portrayal of Paul – a highly intelligent man with a tough beginning, who seemingly loves his children and tries to help others through grief – and the art-directed gloss of his murder scenes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was a tough beginning," says Raymond, now 35.

Forbes

"We have a young team and I know it might be a tough beginning to the season, but I am sure we are going the right way.

BBC

"It was maybe a tough beginning last season but we finished well, so why not do something good this season?" CARDIFF.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's a fairly tough beginning for his full-time role," he said.

BBC

She undergoes a tough divorce, begins and ends a rebound affair, and escapes a bad case of the blues by sampling the gustatory and spiritual gifts of Italy, India, and Bali.

The New Yorker

Auction houses will quickly figure this out in a tough economy, begin catering to the small, passionate collector and stop handing out enormously out-sized guarantees to sellers.

Forbes

The cast, elastic but never tough, began on the floor, rolling, rising halfway and falling again, as if being weighed down by gravity.

The New York Times - Arts

The following week he covered up all the mirrors and a tough new regime began.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough beginning", follow it with an explanation of how the situation improved or what was learned from the initial difficulties to provide a complete picture.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on the challenges of "a tough beginning" without acknowledging subsequent progress or positive outcomes. This can create an overly pessimistic tone and miss opportunities for storytelling or insightful analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough beginning" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It encapsulates the idea of a challenging initial phase, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough beginning" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a difficult initial phase. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and suitable for various writing contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is prevalent in news, business, and personal narratives. For alternative expressions, consider options like "a challenging start" or "a difficult outset" to convey similar meanings with subtle variations. When employing "a tough beginning", ensure to balance the initial negativity by highlighting subsequent progress or lessons learned for a more nuanced and complete portrayal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging start

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the initial phase.

a difficult outset

Focuses on the problematic or troublesome nature of the initial period.

a rocky start

Implies instability and problems during the initial stage.

an arduous commencement

Highlights the effort and struggle involved at the beginning.

a trying initiation

Emphasizes the testing and stressful nature of the start.

a problematic kickoff

Highlights the issues and complications from the beginning.

a bumpy ride from the start

Focuses on the unsteady and uneven progress from the initial point.

a demanding inception

Highlights the rigorous and challenging aspects of the beginning.

a testing initial phase

Emphasizes the evaluative and challenging aspects of the opening segment.

a struggling launch

Focuses on the difficulties and lack of success when initially starting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough beginning" to describe a difficult start to a project, relationship, or any other endeavor. For instance, "Despite "a tough beginning", the company eventually became a market leader."

What are some alternatives to "a tough beginning"?

Alternatives include "a challenging start", "a difficult outset", or "a rocky start". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a tough beginning" or "a difficult beginning"?

Both "a tough beginning" and "a difficult beginning" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Tough" might imply a stronger sense of resilience or endurance required, while "difficult" simply suggests a challenge. The choice depends on the specific context.

What kind of situations commonly involve "a tough beginning"?

"A tough beginning" can refer to various situations, such as starting a new business, learning a new skill, or recovering from a setback. It usually implies that the initial stages were particularly challenging or demanding.