a tough statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a statement that is difficult to make or that conveys a harsh or challenging message. Example: "The CEO issued a tough statement regarding the company's financial struggles, emphasizing the need for immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet as Osborne warms up for a tough statement this week, businesses are still warning that not much is happening on the ground.

The Guardian

He also joined with Democratic representatives Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jay Inslee of Washington – two other leaders of this emerging majority within the caucus – to author a tough statement of principles for climate legislation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The central bank signaled its resolve in a tough statement that accompanied its move to raise the federal funds rate on overnight loans between banks by 50 basis points, to 6.5percentt.

The New York Times

"We'll get a tough statement coming frrm the Fed," he says, pointing out that inversion of the yield and the Fed funds futures rates are telling signs that the market is expecting rates to be raised this year.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Afterward, his aides distributed a tougher statement strongly attacking the Clinton administration for appointing Bradley Smith to the Federal Election Commission.

The New York Times

The United States has worked to get North Korea back to the negotiating table, even as it has tried unsuccessfully to win a tougher statement from the Security Council in response to the April 5 missile launching.

The New York Times

For example, on the North Korea issue the Chinese government has released a really tough statement.

Forbes

But mostly those on Wall Street object to what they describe as the Fed's failure to accompany each cut with a tough, blunt statement on the dangers ahead — embracing language that implicitly promises more interest rate cuts, and soon, to right the economy.

The New York Times

"Results from N.I.H.-funded research must not be biased by any conflicting financial interests," John Burklow, a spokesman for the health institutes, said in the kind of tough statement that in the past has rarely been followed by real sanctions.

The New York Times - Health

The tough statement by the Foreign Office came as anger mounted on Capitol Hill about Bin Laden being found in a garrison city in Pakistan after more than $10 billion dollars in assistance to Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies over the last decade.

The New York Times

In yet another tough statement against the North, South Korea's President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday ordered her military to be ready to "finish off" North Korea if it fires a nuclear missile toward South Korea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough statement", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or situation to which the statement applies. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough statement" without providing specific details or evidence to support the claim. Overusing the phrase without context can weaken your argument and make it seem unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough statement" functions as a noun phrase where "tough" modifies the noun "statement". It indicates that the statement is forceful, resolute, and possibly challenging. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough statement" is a phrase that describes a forceful, resolute, and potentially challenging message. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While maintaining a neutral to professional register, it serves the purpose of conveying resolve or addressing difficult issues directly. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and substantiate claims to avoid appearing unsubstantiated. Consider alternatives like "a firm declaration" or "a strong assertion" to fine-tune the message's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a firm declaration

Replaces 'tough' with 'firm', emphasizing the resolute nature of the statement.

a strong assertion

Substitutes 'tough' with 'strong' and 'statement' with 'assertion', highlighting the forcefulness of the declaration.

a harsh pronouncement

Replaces 'tough' with 'harsh', indicating a severe or critical tone in the statement.

a rigorous declaration

Replaces 'tough' with 'rigorous', emphasizing the thorough and demanding nature of the statement.

a stern announcement

Substitutes 'tough' with 'stern', suggesting a serious and authoritative tone in the statement.

a demanding declaration

Replaces 'tough' with 'demanding', highlighting the challenging aspect of the statement.

an uncompromising assertion

Uses 'uncompromising' instead of 'tough' to convey a sense of inflexibility in the statement.

a challenging pronouncement

Replaces 'tough' with 'challenging', emphasizing the provocative or confrontational nature of the statement.

a critical assessment

Shifts the focus to an evaluation or judgment, implying the statement involves a negative or fault-finding aspect.

a pointed remark

Replaces statement with remark which focus on the directness of a comment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough statement" to describe a firm or challenging message. For example, "The manager issued "a tough statement" about the new company policies."

What are some alternatives to "a tough statement"?

Alternatives include "a firm declaration", "a strong assertion", or "a harsh pronouncement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "a tough statement" different from "a strong statement"?

"A tough statement" implies a challenging or difficult message, while "a strong statement" suggests firmness and conviction but not necessarily adversity.

In what scenarios is it appropriate to use "a tough statement"?

It's appropriate when conveying a message that involves facing challenges, enforcing strict rules, or addressing difficult situations. For example, when a leader needs to address misconduct with "a tough statement".