found it rough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it rough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone experienced difficulty or hardship in a particular situation. Example: "After moving to a new city, I found it rough to adjust to the different lifestyle and make new friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I found it rough".

The New York Times - Magazine

From the beginning the tour found it rough going, with many canceled performers and dates.

The New York Times - Arts

He found it rough and disagreeable and was thankful to gain entry to Rugby, which was tough but civilised.

Independent

The only worry is that too many stores are being built for them all to be profitable.Inevitably, domestic firms have found it rough going.

The Economist

Members of the Democratic Party hoping to establish good relations with the scores of newly elected Five Star Movement deputies found it rough going.

The New Yorker

SPORTSFRIDAY, PAGE D5 Parliamentary Maneuvers 'Blair's Babes,' the wave of Labor women elected to Britain's Parliament in 1997, have found it rough going.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I also found it rougher than the Explorer's.

The New York Times

But the Chiefs are 1-3 in their last four at Mile High and will find it rough going stopping either Denver quarterback, Brian Griese (shoulder injury) or Gus Frerotte.

The New York Times - Sports

In Moscow, a professional can find it rough going, surrounded on all sides by insularity, ineptitude, corruption and the persistent after effects of a command economy.

The New York Times

It's hard enough for parents to cope, but siblings may find it rough going to grin and bear the behavioral issues of a brother or sister with disabilities as summer drags on for months.

Huffington Post

Named the Cullinan, after the chairman of the company that found it, the rough stone was nearly three times the size of the Lesedi.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past experience, use "found it rough" to succinctly convey that a situation was challenging or unpleasant. For greater impact, follow with specific details about the difficulties encountered.

Common error

Avoid using "found it rough" repeatedly without providing specific details about the situation. Overuse can make your writing seem vague and less impactful. Instead, vary your language and elaborate on the challenges faced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it rough" functions as a descriptive expression. It indicates that someone experienced a situation as difficult, unpleasant, or challenging. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a grammatically correct way to convey hardship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found it rough" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a challenging or unpleasant experience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly formal, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. If aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives like "had a difficult time" or "experienced hardship" may be more appropriate. When using "found it rough", provide specific context to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found it challenging

Replaces "rough" with "challenging", indicating difficulty but also potential for growth.

had a tough time with it

Similar to "had a difficult time", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the unpleasantness.

had a difficult time

Replaces "found it rough" with a more common expression for experiencing difficulty.

struggled with it

Indicates a persistent effort to overcome difficulties, similar to finding something rough.

didn't have it easy

Highlights the lack of ease in a situation, similar to finding something rough.

experienced hardship

Highlights the adverse conditions faced, akin to finding a situation rough.

had a hard time adjusting

Focuses on the difficulty of adapting to a new situation.

faced challenges

Emphasizes the obstacles encountered, comparable to finding something rough.

encountered difficulties

A more formal way of saying experienced problems, similar to finding something rough.

had a bumpy ride

Uses a metaphor to describe a period of difficulty, like finding something rough.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "found it rough"?

Saying someone "found it rough" means they experienced difficulty, hardship, or unpleasantness in a particular situation. It implies that the experience was challenging and required effort to overcome.

What can I say instead of "found it rough"?

You can use alternatives like "had a difficult time", "struggled with it", or "experienced hardship", depending on the context.

Is "found it rough" formal or informal?

"Found it rough" is generally considered informal to neutral. While grammatically correct, it may not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise language in formal contexts.

How can I use "found it rough" in a sentence?

You can use "found it rough" to describe your experience in a particular situation, such as "After moving to a new city, I "found it rough" to adjust to the different lifestyle and make new friends".