ever tougher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever tougher" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or challenge that is increasingly difficult over time. Example: "The competition in the market has become ever tougher, pushing companies to innovate constantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Internet providers are creating ever tougher spam filters.

The New York Times - Tech

The dual track of ever tougher sanctions combined with diplomatic outreach was "not even dual.

The New York Times

Much is being made of their negative tone and the ever tougher messages delivered by telephone.

The New York Times

Even her face seemed to become harder as she became ever tougher.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Instead of focusing on ever tougher border controls, the EU needed to establish safe routes.

The Guardian

But Shiva has not been kind lately and breeding camels has become ever tougher.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Such considerations do not exempt the subsidised and independent sectors from ever-tougher financial demands.

The Guardian - Film

Local restaurant owners grumble a lot about ever-tougher parking rules: I am not sure I have much sympathy businesses in the very centre of the West End should not be looking for customers to come to them by car.

The Economist

Our country's young, who should be nurtured and, crucially, allowed to make mistakes as they grow up, increasingly find themselves criminalised by antisocial behaviour legislation and ever-tougher sentencing.

The Guardian - Opinion

And thanks to ever-tougher federal sentencing guidelines, those convicted will likely do time.

Forbes

1948 Apartheid becomes law, bringing with it ever-tougher segregationist legislation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ever tougher", consider whether an alternative phrase might be more precise. For example, 'increasingly stringent' might be better suited for describing regulations.

Common error

Avoid using "ever tougher" to describe a situation that is simply difficult without an element of progression. For example, instead of saying 'This is an ever tougher problem', consider 'This is a difficult problem' if there is no increasing difficulty involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever tougher" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes something that is becoming progressively more difficult or stringent. This function is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it modifies terms like 'sanctions', 'measures', or 'competition'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ever tougher" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation that is becoming progressively more difficult or stringent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to emphasize a trend of increasing difficulty over time. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, although it's also used in formal and business settings. When using "ever tougher", ensure that the context clearly indicates a progression of increasing difficulty, and consider whether an alternative phrase might be more precise for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging

Focuses more on the aspect of challenge rather than strictness or severity.

progressively more difficult

Emphasizes the gradual increase in difficulty over time.

continually hardening

Suggests a process of becoming more rigid or inflexible.

constantly escalating

Implies a rapid increase in intensity or severity.

steadily intensifying

Highlights a gradual and consistent rise in intensity.

more and more demanding

Stresses the increasing requirements or expectations involved.

becoming more stringent

Emphasizes the increasing strictness of rules or regulations.

growing increasingly severe

Focuses on the increasing harshness or gravity of a situation.

getting progressively stricter

Similar to 'becoming more stringent', but with a more informal tone.

steadily becoming rigorous

Emphasizes the increasing thoroughness and precision required.

FAQs

How can I use "ever tougher" in a sentence?

You can use "ever tougher" to describe things that become more challenging over time. For example, "The competition in the market is getting "ever tougher"."

What phrases are similar to "ever tougher"?

Similar phrases include "increasingly challenging", "progressively more difficult", or "more and more demanding", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "even tougher" instead of "ever tougher"?

While "even tougher" is grammatically correct and similar in meaning, "ever tougher" emphasizes a continuous progression over time, which may be more suitable in certain contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this.

In what situations is "ever tougher" most appropriately used?

"Ever tougher" is best used when describing a gradual and continuous increase in difficulty or strictness. For instance, "The government is implementing "ever tougher" regulations on emissions."