be more tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more tough" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "be tougher." Example: "In order to succeed in this competitive environment, you need to be tougher than your competitors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They will be more "tough love" than "tough", as ministers spin it.

The Economist

"Whoever wins the next election, there will be more tough times, and that will drive change".

The Guardian

But the deal postpones difficult decision on spending cuts for two months, meaning there will be more tough negotiations ahead.

The Guardian

"You don't like to go through tough times, and I'm sure there will be more tough times," Wagner said.

The New York Times - Sports

His department said it was working with the British Standards Institute to assess whether the applicable European safety controls needed to be more tough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"With promises on tax cuts to keep and pay for and pressure on revenues from a number of taxes there may be more tough decisions to come" the director of the IFS, Paul Johnson, said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

With one side of its mouth, the Pentagon is saying it is going to be more tough-minded in its approach to military contractors than ever before.

The New York Times

GE is credited for creating the new device and for taking the trouble to redesign its housing to be more tougher and more secure in its solidity and seal, while making the package simple to use and install.

Forbes

It is more tough than tender, and the roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables are bland.

Independent

Maleeha Lodhi, a former ambassador to Washington, says America's new policy of "tough love" is "more tough than love".

The Economist

Francesca Grillo said: "It was tough but it was more tough to sit down in a dock and think, I might be in prison for a long time".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, replace "be more tough" with "be tougher". This ensures the sentence adheres to standard English grammar rules.

Common error

Avoid using "more" with adjectives that have comparative forms (like "tough"). The correct form is "tougher", not "more tough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more tough" functions as an instruction or recommendation, urging someone to adopt a firmer or more resilient approach. Despite its presence in various sources as per Ludwig, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The intended function is to suggest increased fortitude.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be more tough" appears in a variety of sources, Ludwig AI points out that it's considered grammatically incorrect. The correct alternative is "be tougher". Its primary function is to encourage increased resilience or a firmer stance, often in informal or neutral contexts. When aiming for grammatical accuracy, especially in formal writing, "be tougher" or other alternatives like "be more resilient" are preferable. Remember to avoid using "more" with adjectives that already have a comparative form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be tougher

Direct grammatical correction; replaces "more tough" with the comparative adjective "tougher".

be more resilient

Focuses on the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

be more firm

Emphasizes a stronger and more decisive approach.

be more stringent

Implies stricter rules or measures.

be more rigorous

Suggests a more thorough and demanding approach.

be more uncompromising

Highlights an unwillingness to make concessions.

be more assertive

Focuses on expressing opinions and needs clearly and confidently.

be more steadfast

Emphasizes unwavering commitment and resolve.

show more grit

Uses idiomatic expression for courage and resolve.

develop a thicker skin

Suggests becoming less sensitive to criticism or setbacks.

FAQs

What is the grammatically correct way to say "be more tough"?

The grammatically correct alternative is to use the comparative form of the adjective "tough", which is "be tougher".

What are some alternative ways to express the need for increased resilience without using "be more tough"?

You can use phrases like "be more resilient", "be more firm", or "develop a thicker skin" to convey similar meanings depending on the specific context.

In what contexts might someone use "be more tough" despite it being grammatically questionable?

It might be used in informal conversation or in contexts where a speaker is intentionally using non-standard grammar to emphasize a point or create a specific tone. However, it is generally best to avoid it in formal writing.

How does "be more tough" differ in meaning or connotation from "be tougher"?

While both phrases aim to convey the need for increased resilience or firmness, "be tougher" is the grammatically correct and generally preferred option. "be more tough" might be perceived as less formal or even incorrect.