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be tougher than expected
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be tougher than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or challenge that turns out to be more difficult than initially anticipated. Example: "The exam was tougher than expected, and many students struggled to complete it on time."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
It may be tougher than expected to pry the claret jug out of his hands.
News & Media
On Tuesday he admitted business continued to be tougher than expected.
News & Media
Still, if it's looking as if it might be tougher than expected even to convict Massey's Blankenship of criminal charges, it's worth remembering just how much more difficult it will be to convict Wall Street's top guys.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
"Unfortunately it's been tougher than expected," he explains.
News & Media
Mr. Dearing said the economics of running a shoe store were tougher than expected.
News & Media
"It may suggest that the transformation, in particular revitalizing the brand, is tougher than expected".
News & Media
And if the European Union's bank stress tests end up being tougher than expected, yet more capital would be needed.
News & Media
Not only is political pressure increasing as households struggle with ever-rising prices, but trading is tougher than expected.
News & Media
Hopkins had presented Daniels with marshmallows at a prefight news conference, but Daniels was tougher than expected.
News & Media
Asked if the experience had been tougher than expected, Robertson said: "Yes, we have had to learn a lot".
News & Media
The review in Europe has been tougher than expected, with regulators rejecting some of Universal's core arguments, including its assertion that online piracy would keep the enlarged company in check.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "be tougher than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what was initially expected. Providing a reference point helps the reader understand the degree of unexpected difficulty.
Common error
Avoid using "be tougher than expected" without specifying what the original expectation was. For instance, instead of saying "The project was tougher than expected", clarify by saying "The project was tougher than expected, requiring significantly more resources and time than initially budgeted."
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be tougher than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes a situation, task, or entity as possessing a higher degree of difficulty compared to what was initially anticipated. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is suitable for use in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Formal & Business
20%
Science
20%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "be tougher than expected" is a grammatically sound and usable comparative phrase indicating that something is more difficult than initially anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to highlight unexpected challenges. When using the phrase, it is important to provide context as to what the initial expectations were to ensure clarity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
More challenging than anticipated
Replaces "tougher" with a more formal synonym, "challenging", and uses "anticipated" instead of "expected".
Harder than initially thought
Uses "harder" as a direct synonym for "tougher" and "initially thought" to convey the same timing aspect as "expected".
More difficult than foreseen
Substitutes "tougher" with "difficult" and "expected" with "foreseen", adding a sense of prediction.
Turned out to be more demanding
Shifts the structure to focus on the result, using "demanding" to express the increased difficulty.
Proved to be more arduous
Replaces "tougher" with a more formal and intense synonym, "arduous", suggesting a greater level of effort required.
Exceeded initial difficulty estimates
Emphasizes the misjudgment of the initial difficulty level, using a more technical tone.
Presented unexpected hurdles
Changes the focus to the obstacles encountered rather than the overall difficulty.
Was more strenuous than planned
Focuses on the effort required, using "strenuous" to indicate a physically or mentally taxing experience.
Offered unforeseen complications
Highlights the presence of unexpected problems rather than the overall difficulty.
Involved greater exertion than predicted
Specifically addresses the amount of effort involved, contrasting it with the predicted level.
FAQs
How can I use "be tougher than expected" in a sentence?
You can use "be tougher than expected" to describe a situation or task that turns out to be more difficult than initially anticipated. For example: "The exam "was tougher than expected", and many students struggled to complete it on time."
What are some alternatives to saying "be tougher than expected"?
You can use alternatives like "more challenging than anticipated", "harder than initially thought", or "more difficult than foreseen" depending on the context.
Is it grammatically correct to say "be tougher than expected"?
Yes, the phrase "be tougher than expected" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for comparative adjectives and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
What does "be tougher than expected" imply?
The phrase "be tougher than expected" implies that the difficulty or challenge of something exceeded the initial anticipation or prediction. It suggests an element of surprise or underestimation.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested