gets tougher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets tougher" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or challenge that is becoming more difficult over time. Example: "As the competition heats up, the training regimen gets tougher for all the athletes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It gets tougher now".

Independent

"Every day gets tougher".

The Guardian - Sport

Ah, now it gets tougher.

The New York Times - Books

It gets tougher and funnier.

The New York Times

But the schedule only gets tougher.

The New York Times

As Girardi said, everything, indeed, gets tougher.

The New York Times

"What happens when the game gets tougher?

The New York Times

The competition only gets tougher from here.

The New York Times - Sports

So with every day that passes, repealing Obamacare gets tougher.

The New Yorker

But cost-cutting gets tougher the more you do.

The New York Times

Instead of turning soft and squishy, this examination of karma gets tougher as it goes along.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets tougher" when you want to express that a situation or task is progressively becoming more challenging. It's versatile and fits well in many contexts, from sports to economics.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, overuse of "gets tougher" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using more formal alternatives like "becomes more challenging" or "presents a greater challenge" in academic or professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets tougher" primarily functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective, indicating a change in state. As seen in Ludwig examples, it describes how something is becoming more difficult or challenging over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sports

15%

Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets tougher" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an increase in difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and sports reporting. While appropriate in many situations, it's beneficial to consider more formal alternatives like "becomes more challenging" or "presents a greater challenge" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone. Remember to choose your words depending on the situation and the readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes more difficult

A direct synonym, highlighting the increasing effort required.

becomes more challenging

More formal alternative that emphasizes the increasing demands of a task or situation.

presents a greater challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, rather than the action of becoming more difficult.

becomes more demanding

Focuses on the increasing requirements and expectations.

grows more intense

Emphasizes a gradual increase in intensity and difficulty.

escalates in difficulty

Suggests a gradual and often predictable increase in difficulty.

becomes more arduous

Emphasizes the laborious and strenuous nature of the increasing difficulty.

intensifies

Implies that the pressure or difficulty is increasing in strength or degree.

the stakes get higher

Focuses on the increased consequences or risks associated with the situation.

the pressure mounts

Highlights the increasing stress and strain associated with the situation.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "gets tougher"?

Alternatives to "gets tougher" include "becomes more challenging", "becomes more difficult", or "presents a greater challenge". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

You can use "gets tougher" to describe situations that are increasing in difficulty over time. For example, "As the competition intensifies, the training regime "gets tougher"."

Is "gets tougher" appropriate for formal writing?

While "gets tougher" is widely understood, it can sound informal in some contexts. In academic or professional writing, consider using alternatives like "becomes more demanding" or "presents a greater challenge" to maintain a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "gets tougher" and "becomes difficult"?

"Gets tougher" implies a gradual increase in difficulty over time, while "becomes difficult" simply indicates that something is currently challenging. The first phrase suggests a process of increasing challenge, whereas the second points to a state of difficulty.