awfully tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very difficult or challenging. Example: "The exam was awfully tough, and many students struggled to finish it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's awfully tough.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's awfully tough to follow.

The New York Times - Books

His opponent, David Wells, was awfully tough.

The New York Times - Sports

These two long, convoluted sentences, one after the other, make for awfully tough reading.

The New York Times

It made me awfully tough — something I've never lost, by the way".

The New Yorker

"Anytime you have a chance to win a major championship, that's awfully tough on you mentally.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"I worked awfully hard.

The New York Times - Sports

They are judged awfully hard.

BMJ Open

Awfully, horrendously bad.

Huffington Post

And Stuart Archer Cohen writes this thriller with signs of real conviction, but he sounds awfully smitten with the tough-guy tactics that insurrectionists take.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Cohen wrote the thriller with signs of real conviction, Janet Maslin says, but he sounds awfully smitten with the tough-guy tactics that insurrectionists take.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully tough" to describe situations that are genuinely challenging, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Reserve it for scenarios where the difficulty is notable.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully tough" in overly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be appropriate. While acceptable, it can sound less professional in certain settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully tough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It emphasizes the high degree of difficulty associated with the noun it describes. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used to characterize challenges in sports, academics, and general life circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Sports

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully tough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something as highly challenging. Ludwig highlights that it appears most frequently in News & Media and Sports contexts. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider the formality of the situation and choose more sophisticated vocabulary for professional or academic settings. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is perfectly valid, and understanding its nuances helps in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty with a more formal tone.

remarkably difficult

Highlights the notable degree of difficulty.

considerably demanding

Focuses on the high level of effort required.

extremely arduous

Suggests a very strenuous and prolonged effort.

particularly grueling

Implies a harsh and exhausting experience.

seriously taxing

Highlights the depleting effect on one's resources or energy.

quite problematic

Indicates a situation filled with difficulties and issues.

notably formidable

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task or opponent.

terribly testing

Highlights the challenging or difficult nature of a situation.

especially trying

Focuses on the frustrating and patience-testing nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "awfully tough" to describe situations, tasks, or even people who present a significant challenge. For example, "The exam was awfully tough this year" or "He's an awfully tough competitor".

What are some alternatives to "awfully tough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "extremely difficult", "incredibly challenging", or "particularly grueling".

Is "awfully tough" formal or informal?

"Awfully tough" leans towards the informal side. While generally acceptable in most contexts, it might be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "exceptionally challenging" in professional or academic writing.

When should I avoid using "awfully tough"?

Avoid using "awfully tough" in highly formal or technical writing. In those situations, choose a more precise and professional term such as "considerably demanding" or "notably formidable".