a very tough work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very tough work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are describing something that is difficult to do and requires a lot of effort. For example: "Preparing for the final exams was a very tough work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The first company I worked in had a very tough work ethic, but that wasn't a problem for me.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But I do want to underscore that we believe and know that we will have to share as many specific details publicly as we can, with the caveat that the work of doing annexes if we can get to a political framework is very tough work.

The Guardian

"Let's don't beat around the bush: this is very, very tough work," said Tom Eccles, a curatorial adviser for the project, speaking about the piece at a preview on Tuesday, along with the exhibition's curators, Hans-Ulrich Obrist and Alex Poots, the Armory's artistic director.

The New York Times - Arts

It's very tough work, but it is a gift from God".

Huffington Post

"Trying to tease out which system, or more than likely what multiple systems have been altered, leading to that phenomenon, is very tough work".

Environmental Health Perspectives

It can take weeks to strengthen the muscle imbalances and this is very tough work, but worth it in the end.

WikiHow

Mr. Sparks said: "A love story is a very tough genre to work in successfully.

The New York Times - Books

"It felt like everyone was just dying and that was a very tough environment to work in.

BBC

"[Norbert] was a very tough guy to work for, because he was a perfectionist.

Los Angeles Times

It's quite tiring because working with Asian people is a challenge, because I find it very challenging, because it's a very tough community to work with and especially trying to send out the message that we want, because they're so set in their ways (CDE, interview).

BMC Health Services Research

It was a very tough entry into working life.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work, consider if "challenging", "demanding", or "difficult" more accurately reflects the specific nature of the task. Each word subtly shifts the focus and can provide a more nuanced description.

Common error

While "tough" is readily understood, in formal or academic writing, consider using more precise synonyms such as "challenging", "arduous", or "demanding" to convey the level of difficulty with greater nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very tough work" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes an activity or task, emphasizing its difficulty and the effort required to complete it. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe something that is difficult to do and requires a lot of effort.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very tough work" is grammatically correct, though somewhat informal, and functions as a noun phrase describing a difficult task. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for describing something that requires substantial effort. While its usage spans across news, science, and wiki sources, it's less common in formal business or academic contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "a demanding task" or "an arduous endeavor". While "a very tough work" is acceptable, being mindful of the context and opting for more nuanced vocabulary can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a highly demanding job

Focuses on the demanding nature of the work.

an extremely challenging task

Emphasizes the challenging aspect of the work.

a considerably difficult undertaking

Highlights the difficulty and the scale of the work.

a seriously arduous endeavor

Stresses the laborious and strenuous nature of the work.

a particularly strenuous activity

Highlights the physically or mentally taxing aspect.

a notably taxing assignment

Emphasizes the burden and strain imposed by the work.

a truly formidable project

Focuses on the scale and potential obstacles of the work.

a remarkably gruelling effort

Highlights the exhausting nature of the work.

a significantly laborious process

Emphasizes the amount of effort required.

an exceptionally rigorous exercise

Stresses the strictness and precision required.

FAQs

How can I use "a very tough work" in a sentence?

You can use "a very tough work" to describe a task or endeavor that requires significant effort and is difficult to complete. For example: "Constructing that nucleotide library was "a really tough work"."

What are some alternatives to "a very tough work"?

Alternatives include "a highly demanding job", "an extremely challenging task", or "a considerably difficult undertaking", depending on the specific context.

Is "a very tough work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a very tough work" is grammatically correct, although it may sound slightly informal. More formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How does the formality of "a very tough work" compare to other similar phrases?

"A very tough work" is less formal than phrases like "an arduous endeavor" or "a demanding assignment". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing the most appropriate phrase.