a tough negotiation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough negotiation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a negotiation process that is difficult or challenging, often due to conflicting interests or strong positions. Example: "The contract discussions turned into a tough negotiation, with both sides unwilling to compromise on key terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"This was a tough negotiation during tough economic times, but both sides worked hard and negotiated reasonably to come to this agreement," the union's international president, Matthew D. Loeb, said in a statement.

The New York Times

That's a tough negotiation.

The New York Times

In other words, a tough negotiation, however you cut it.

The New York Times

She called the talks "a tough negotiation," adding: "Change is always hard.

The New York Times

Barack Obama, campaigning for President, observed, "It's pretty hard to have a tough negotiation when the Chinese are our bankers".

The New Yorker

Question: I'm in a tough negotiation right now where the other side has made a very aggressive first offer.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Yet a source close to Lachlan Murdoch disputed this, insisting that Lachlan was pushing for a tougher negotiation and wanted a better price from Disney.

The New Yorker

They choose a few rugs and brace themselves for what is sure to be a fairly tough negotiation.

Harvard University

He only builds his image as a dominant and tough negotiation partner for the future.

Harvard University

Some leaders fear contagion and back a tough exit negotiation with Britain to discourage further defections.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Britain, wanting a new deal with Europe will prove a tough, difficult negotiation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing negotiations, consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize – the difficulty, length, or contentiousness – and choose adjectives that reflect that aspect most accurately. Using precise language can strengthen your writing and provide a clearer picture of the situation.

Common error

While "tough" is a common adjective, avoid overusing it. Vary your descriptions with more precise words like 'challenging', 'arduous', or 'complex' to avoid monotony and provide a more nuanced portrayal of the negotiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough negotiation" functions as a noun phrase, with 'tough' acting as an adjective that modifies 'negotiation'. It describes the nature or quality of the negotiation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough negotiation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for describing a challenging bargaining process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in written English. Its prevalence in news sources, academic papers, and business contexts indicates its versatility and widespread understanding. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives such as "challenging discussion" or "difficult bargaining process". Steer clear of overuse by varying your descriptions and opting for more nuanced words like 'complex' or 'arduous' to capture the specific nuances of the negotiation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult bargaining process

Replaces 'negotiation' with 'bargaining process' and 'tough' with 'difficult', maintaining the core meaning.

a challenging discussion

Substitutes 'negotiation' with 'discussion' and 'tough' with 'challenging', softening the tone slightly.

a protracted debate

Replaces 'negotiation' with 'debate' and 'tough' with 'protracted', emphasizing the length and intensity.

a strained agreement process

Focuses on the stress involved, replacing 'tough' with 'strained' and rephrasing 'negotiation'.

a contentious settlement talk

Highlights the disagreement aspect using 'contentious' and specifies 'settlement talk' instead of general negotiation.

a demanding reconciliation

Emphasizes the effort required for reconciliation, making it 'demanding' instead of 'tough'.

an arduous bargaining

Uses 'arduous' to describe the difficulty, and 'bargaining' as the activity, sounding more formal.

a rigorous debate

Focuses on the thorough and challenging nature of the debate, replacing 'tough' with 'rigorous'.

a complex treaty discussion

Highlights the intricacy involved, describing a 'complex' treaty discussion.

a delicate compromise

Focuses on the fragility and sensitivity required to reach a 'delicate compromise'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough negotiation" to describe a bargaining process that is difficult or challenging. For example, "The labor talks turned into a tough negotiation when the union demanded higher wages."

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

You can use alternatives like "a challenging discussion", "a difficult bargaining process", or "a protracted debate" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a toughly negotiation"?

No, "a toughly negotiation" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a tough negotiation", where "tough" is an adjective modifying the noun "negotiation".

What makes a negotiation "tough"?

A negotiation can be described as "tough" when there are significant disagreements, high stakes, strong opposing positions, or a general unwillingness to compromise between the parties involved.