a tough effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult attempt at achieving something. Example: "Completing the marathon was a tough effort, but I felt a great sense of accomplishment afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was a tough effort for me.

The New York Times - Sports

Castleford coach Daryl Powell said: "It was a tough effort and defensively we were superb.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Proposition 187 did not take off in the public consciousness until the Republican Party pumped money into a flagging signature-gathering effort and Wilson, then in the midst of what seemed a tough reelection effort, made it a keystone of his campaign.

Los Angeles Times

He soon found that the city's bureaucracy was hostile to making a tough enforcement effort.

The New York Times

On a concrete wall in Oporto, Portugal, where a tough austerity effort has hit hard, a somber graffiti mural depicts a submarine in a nose dive.

The New York Times

He said he did not believe the movie association's decision was politically motivated, but he added that "there has been a tough political effort to keep this film from being viewed".

The New York Times

Later Wednesday, Trump brought a special guest with him to an oil refinery in Mandan, N.D., to pitch his tax-cut plan: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat facing a tough reelection effort in a solidly Republican state that Trump carried in 2016 by 36 percentage points.

The Washington Post

It suggests instead that poor coordination between lawmakers and the White House, or indifference from President Barack Obama's team, made a tough legislative effort nearly impossible.

Science Magazine

So things like passing the RICO type laws, strengthening the laws through laws through the Internal Revenue Service to go after the profits of organized crime, and a much tougher effort by the F.B.I. and other federal enforcement agencies in conjunction with state and local law enforcement have now substantially diminished but not eliminated the influence of organized crime in the United States.

The New York Times

"That is why I have asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort.

The Guardian

He is a Republican who faces a tough re-election effort in a one-time Democratic district.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or activity, use "a tough effort" to emphasize the level of difficulty and the commitment required to succeed.

Common error

While "a tough effort" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "a challenging undertaking" or "a difficult endeavor" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough effort" functions as a noun phrase, where 'tough' is an adjective modifying 'effort'. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, serving to describe a challenging or difficult attempt.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Reference

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough effort" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a challenging or difficult undertaking. Ludwig AI indicates that it conveys the need for determination and resilience. While its register is generally neutral, it's more commonly found in news and media contexts than in formal academic writing. Remember to avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms like "a challenging undertaking" or "a difficult endeavor".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging undertaking

Replaces 'effort' with 'undertaking' to emphasize the project aspect.

a difficult endeavor

Uses 'endeavor' to highlight the ambitious nature of the task.

a strenuous attempt

Focuses on the energy and exertion required.

a demanding task

Emphasizes the high requirements and expectations.

a grueling task

Conveys the exhausting and relentless nature of the work.

an arduous undertaking

Highlights the difficulty and sustained effort needed.

a formidable challenge

Stresses the size and difficulty of the obstacle.

a herculean task

Implies a task of immense difficulty, requiring extraordinary strength.

a painstaking process

Focuses on the need for careful and meticulous work.

a labor-intensive job

Highlights the amount of physical work involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough effort" to describe something that requires significant determination and strength. For example, "Completing the project required "a tough effort" from the entire team."

What are some alternatives to "a tough effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging undertaking", "a difficult endeavor", or "a strenuous attempt depending on the specific context.

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

"A tough effort" and "a difficult effort" are quite similar, but "tough" often implies resilience and endurance in the face of hardship. You can choose whichever fits better based on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a tough effort" and "a valiant effort"?

"A tough effort" simply describes a challenging task, while "a valiant effort" implies courage and determination in the face of great odds. A valiant effort is a specific type of tough effort characterized by bravery.