fairly tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is moderately difficult or challenging. Example: "The exam was fairly tough, but I managed to pass with a good grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're tough guys, but it's a fairly tough time.

Yale University

These are two fairly tough acts to follow.

The Guardian

"It was also a fairly tough time for me.

The New York Times

I have classes to go to!" Yes, the situation is fairly tough here.

Stanford University

In this case, the circumstances make this a fairly tough call.

The New York Times

On the whole, a long-serving Home Secretary like May must be fairly tough and competent.

Independent

It also makes it easier for him to say fairly tough things about immigration.

The Economist

Roth tends to divide opinion — because high originality is, and should be, fairly tough to digest.

The New York Times - Books

Thanks to my childhood, I'm a fairly tough and scrappy broad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Admittedly, Obama has in the past supported fairly tough regulations on firearms.

The New Yorker

"He was walking straight into the teeth of a fairly tough crowd," Weir says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing challenges, consider the specific aspect of difficulty. "Fairly tough" can refer to mental, physical, or emotional strain, so choose the most accurate descriptor.

Common error

While "fairly tough" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less precise. Opt for stronger synonyms like "challenging", "demanding", or "rigorous" to add nuance to your descriptions in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly tough" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing the degree of difficulty, resilience, or strictness associated with that noun. Ludwig examples show wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly tough" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that is moderately challenging or difficult. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is widely accepted across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, consider using stronger synonyms like "challenging" or "demanding" for enhanced precision, especially in formal writing. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, making it suitable for a broad range of communications. Remembering best practices and common errors, and exploring alternatives allows for more effective and precise usage of "fairly tough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately challenging

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" and "fairly" with "moderately", focusing on the degree of difficulty.

somewhat difficult

Substitutes "tough" with "difficult" and "fairly" with "somewhat", softening the intensity.

reasonably demanding

Uses "demanding" instead of "tough" and "reasonably" instead of "fairly", highlighting the effort required.

quite stringent

Emphasizes strictness or rigor rather than general difficulty; suits contexts involving rules or regulations.

relatively resilient

Shifts focus to the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; appropriate for describing objects or systems.

noticeably sturdy

Highlights physical robustness and durability, suitable when describing objects.

considerably firm

Focuses on the quality of being unyielding or resolute, often used in discussions of principles or decisions.

appreciably rigorous

Emphasizes the thoroughness and exactness, often used when describing a process or system.

markedly unshakeable

Focuses on unwavering resolve or stability, highlighting an exceptional degree of firmness.

distinctly hardy

Highlights the ability to endure difficult conditions, more commonly used for living things.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly tough" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly tough" to describe something that is moderately difficult or challenging. For example, "The exam was "fairly tough", but I managed to pass."

What can I say instead of "fairly tough"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately challenging", "somewhat difficult", or "reasonably demanding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fairly tough" or "very tough"?

Both ""fairly tough"" and "very tough" are correct, but they indicate different degrees of difficulty. "Fairly tough" suggests a moderate level, while "very tough" implies a high level of difficulty.

What's the difference between "fairly tough" and "quite tough"?

The difference between ""fairly tough"" and "quite tough" is subtle, but "quite tough" often implies a slightly higher degree of difficulty or intensity than "fairly tough".