a tough question

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tough question" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe an inquiry that is difficult to answer. For example, "She had to answer a tough question about the company's financials during the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a tough question.

Columbia University

It's a tough question.

The Washington Post

This is a tough question.

Stanford University

That is a tough question.

Stanford University

A: That's a tough question.

Stanford University

That's a tough question to answer.

Stanford University

My God, what a tough question!

The Washington Post

"That's a tough question," she finally said.

The Washington Post

I would ask a tough question.

The New York Times

"It's a tough question to answer," Roach said.

Harvard University

It's all right to trip up on a tough question.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough question", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the question is challenging. Providing brief insight into the complexity or sensitivity can enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough question" as a filler phrase. Instead, provide specific reasons why the question poses a challenge, such as its complexity, ethical implications, or lack of clear answers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough question" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "question." It identifies a specific type of question that is difficult to answer. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe challenging inquiries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

41%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough question" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a challenging inquiry. Ludwig AI shows that it frequently appears in News & Media and Academic contexts, highlighting its versatility. While straightforward, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring the context justifies the description. Consider alternatives like "a challenging question" or "a complex question" for more nuanced expressions. Using more descriptive phrasing around why a question is tough improves communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A challenging question

Replaces "tough" with "challenging", suggesting a question that requires effort to answer.

A difficult question

Uses "difficult" instead of "tough", offering a direct synonym for something not easily answered.

A complex question

Substitutes "tough" with "complex", implying a question with many layers or parts.

A complicated question

Similar to "complex", emphasizes the intricate nature of the question.

A thorny question

Replaces "tough" with "thorny", suggesting a question that is problematic or sensitive.

A perplexing question

Uses "perplexing" to indicate a question that causes confusion or uncertainty.

A demanding question

Highlights that the question requires significant thought or effort to answer.

A profound question

Suggests the question is deep and significant, requiring thoughtful consideration.

A knotty question

Implies the question is intricate and difficult to resolve.

A baffling question

Indicates a question that is confusing and hard to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough question" to describe a query that is difficult to answer or requires careful consideration. For example, "The interviewer posed "a tough question" about my long-term career goals."

What are some alternatives to "a tough question"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging question", "a difficult question", or "a complex question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a tough question" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tough question" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "a complex question" or "a demanding question".

What makes "a tough question" different from "a simple question"?

While "a simple question" implies an easy and straightforward answer, "a tough question" suggests that the answer is not readily available or requires significant thought and analysis.