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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be tougher than expected

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The New York Times

On Tuesday he admitted business continued to be tougher than expected.

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

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Unfortunately it's been tougher than expected," he explains.

Mr. Dearing said the economics of running a shoe store were tougher than expected.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It may suggest that the transformation, in particular revitalizing the brand, is tougher than expected".

News & Media

The New York Times

And if the European Union's bank stress tests end up being tougher than expected, yet more capital would be needed.

News & Media

The New York Times

Not only is political pressure increasing as households struggle with ever-rising prices, but trading is tougher than expected.

Hopkins had presented Daniels with marshmallows at a prefight news conference, but Daniels was tougher than expected.

Asked if the experience had been tougher than expected, Robertson said: "Yes, we have had to learn a lot".

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

The New York Times
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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."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

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.

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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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: