be tough for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tough for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something will be difficult or challenging for someone or something. Example: "This new project will be tough for the team to complete within the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's going to be tough for sure".

The Guardian - Sport

That's going to be tough for me".

The New York Times

Life can be tough for the footsoldiers.

The Guardian

It's going to be tough for everyone.

The Guardian

"It's going to be tough for Germany.

The Guardian - Business

"It's going to be tough for the others," Robredo said.

The New York Times - Sports

I think it would be tough for all of us.

The New York Times

It'll be tough for a whole 'nother six months".

The New York Times - Sports

It is going to be tough for the manager".

Independent

This can be tough for the performers – he realises that.

The Guardian - Film

Because of that it's going to be tough for Darren.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be tough for", ensure the context clearly defines who or what will experience the difficulty. Provide specific reasons why the situation is expected to be challenging.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase too generically. Instead of simply stating something "will "be tough for"", specify the reasons for the difficulty. For instance, instead of saying "The project will "be tough for" the team", say "The project will "be tough for" the team due to the tight deadline and limited resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tough for" functions as a predicative adjective followed by a preposition, indicating that something will present difficulties or challenges for a particular person or entity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be tough for" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express that something will present difficulties or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to provide context to clarify who or what will experience the difficulty and why. Alternatives like "be difficult for" or "be challenging for" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember to avoid overuse and provide specific reasons for the anticipated difficulty to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be difficult for

Replaces "tough" with a direct synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

be challenging for

Substitutes "tough" with "challenging", emphasizing the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

pose a challenge to

Restructures the phrase to highlight the act of challenging, rather than the state of being tough.

present difficulties for

Similar to "pose a challenge to", this emphasizes the difficulties being presented.

create problems for

Focuses on the problematic outcome of something being difficult.

be hard on

Uses "hard on" as a more direct and potentially emotional way of expressing difficulty.

be demanding for

Highlights the demanding nature of the situation, suggesting high requirements.

be an ordeal for

Emphasizes the unpleasant and prolonged nature of the difficulty.

be a struggle for

Focuses on the effort and resistance involved in overcoming the difficulty.

test the mettle of

Implies a trial that reveals one's strength and character.

FAQs

How can I use "be tough for" in a sentence?

Use "be tough for" to indicate that something will be difficult or challenging for someone. For example, "The exam will "be tough for" students who haven't studied diligently."

What are some alternatives to saying "be tough for"?

You can use alternatives like "be difficult for", "be challenging for", or "pose a challenge to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be tough for"?

Yes, the phrase "be tough for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English to express that something will be difficult for someone.

What's the difference between "be tough for" and "be hard for"?

While both phrases convey difficulty, "be tough for" often implies a challenging situation requiring resilience, whereas "be hard for" can suggest an emotional or physical strain. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.