a tough impact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough impact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or challenging effect or influence that something has on a situation or person. Example: "The new regulations had a tough impact on small businesses, forcing many to adapt quickly to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it doesn't take much nous to work out that this is going to have a tough impact on the consumer".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The transition from brittle to tough impact behaviour was correlated to a transition of micromechanical deformation mechanisms from cavitation bands to croids.

Polymer

Mr. McQueary wants us to imagine that his brain was racing during those "30 to 45 seconds," that he "had to make tough impacting quick decisions".

The New York Times

Marston's shares ended 2.1p better at 134.5p and analyst Nick Batram at Peel Hunt said: Marstons is not the first pubco to comment on a tough first half impacted by the weather and won't be the last.

The Guardian - Business

Super-tough (impact strength 23-fold that of the PBT) and stiffer PBT based blends were obtained at mPEO contents equal to or higher than 15%.

Polymer

Tyson Chandler, the Knicks' defensive anchor, also had a tough time making an impact on the game after he banged knees with Joel Anthony on a third-quarter drive.

The New York Times - Sports

The new Labour signing has made an immediate impact with a tough question on how the Tory "firm pledge" on immigration was downgraded to an "aim".

The Guardian

As the ombudsman, Jane Martin, says: "I am concerned that more people could now suffer injustice because of the combined impact of a tough economic climate and the serious budget pressures on councils".

The Guardian

Choosing between a state school or an elite institution is a tough decision too which could impact one's life and career.

Huffington Post

However, the backdrop of a tough pricing environment that has impacted on the sales and margins of all the big four players has highlighted that there is no silver bullet for mainstream retail.

The Guardian - Business

He said that while Majestic was operating in a tough market, there was no discernible impact as yet from the Brexit vote in June and consumer spending remained unchanged.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough impact", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the impact and who or what is being affected. This will help avoid ambiguity and strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough impact" when a milder term like "influence" or "effect" would be more accurate. Overstating the severity can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough impact" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "impact". This phrase typically describes a significant or challenging effect resulting from a particular action or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough impact" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant and challenging effect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not very common, it finds its primary use in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, be mindful of clearly establishing the cause and recipient of the impact to avoid ambiguity. Overstating the severity of the impact can weaken your writing, so choose your words carefully. Related phrases such as "a significant effect" or "a strong influence" may offer more appropriate alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult impact

Replaces "tough" with "difficult", highlighting the problematic nature of the impact.

a marked impact

Indicates that the impact is easily noticeable or distinguishable.

a significant effect

Replaces "tough" with "significant", altering the emphasis from difficulty to importance.

a challenging effect

Uses "challenging" instead of "tough", focusing on the difficulty or complexity of the effect.

a considerable effect

Uses "considerable" instead of "tough", indicating a noticeable or substantial effect.

a strong influence

Substitutes "impact" with "influence", shifting the focus to the power to affect someone or something.

a profound influence

Emphasizes the depth and extent of the influence, suggesting a lasting or significant change.

a substantial influence

Emphasizes the size and importance of the influence, indicating a significant effect.

a harsh consequence

Replaces "impact" with "consequence", highlighting the result or effect of something, often negative.

a severe effect

Replaces "tough" with "severe", intensifying the degree of negativity or seriousness of the effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough impact" to describe a challenging or significant effect, for example: "The new regulations had a tough impact on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a tough impact"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant effect", "a strong influence", or "a harsh consequence" depending on the context.

Is "a tough impact" the same as "a heavy impact"?

While similar, "a tough impact" suggests a difficult or challenging effect, whereas "a heavy impact" implies a strong or forceful effect. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a tough impact" in writing?

It's appropriate when describing a situation where something has a considerable effect that presents difficulties or challenges. Consider whether alternatives like "a considerable effect" or "a difficult impact" might be more fitting.