has been rough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been rough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a situation or experience has been difficult or challenging. For example, "This semester has been rough, but I'm glad it's almost over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jerilyn: It has been rough.

The New York Times

'Cause my life has been rough".

The New Yorker

It has been rough going ever since.

The New Yorker

The road has been rough.

The Guardian

Walters's personal life has been rough going.

The New Yorker

But the last month has been rough.

The New York Times

"This winter has been rough on us".

The New York Times

THE past year has been rough on Britain's retailers.

The Economist

The F.C.C. acknowledges that the transition has been rough.

The New York Times - Tech

Ms. Kusznir admits that the going has been rough.

The New York Times

But her second life has been rough, in the best ways.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been rough" to describe periods marked by significant difficulties, challenges, or unpleasant experiences. This phrase is suitable for both personal anecdotes and broader, more objective descriptions.

Common error

While "has been rough" is versatile, avoid using it repeatedly in close succession. Vary your vocabulary by incorporating synonyms like "has been challenging" or "has been difficult" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been rough" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing a period or situation as challenging or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been rough" is a versatile phrase used to describe challenging or difficult times. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the register and choose more formal alternatives like "has been difficult" or "has been challenging" in academic or professional settings. Avoid overuse and vary your vocabulary to maintain clarity and reader engagement. The phrase effectively conveys hardship, struggle, or unpleasantness, making it a useful tool for expressing empathy or explaining the impact of adverse conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been difficult

A direct synonym, focusing on the hardship involved.

has been tough

Similar to "rough", but slightly more informal.

has been challenging

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the experience.

has been trying

Highlights the stressful or testing aspect of the situation.

has been a struggle

Highlights the ongoing effort required to overcome difficulties.

has been arduous

Indicates a particularly strenuous or laborious experience.

has been testing

Emphasizes that one's patience and resilience is strained.

has been bumpy

Suggests inconsistency and instability, like a ride on a "bumpy" road.

has been problematic

Highlights that an issue has risen that is a problem.

has been unpleasant

Focuses on the negative and disagreeable nature of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "has been rough" in a sentence?

You can use "has been rough" to describe a challenging period. For example, "The past year "has been rough" for small businesses due to the pandemic".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been rough"?

Alternatives to "has been rough" include "has been difficult", "has been challenging", or "has been tough" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been rough" in formal writing?

While "has been rough" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "has been difficult" or "has been arduous" may be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What does it mean when someone says "the road has been rough"?

Saying "the road has been rough" implies that the journey or process has been challenging and filled with obstacles. It's a metaphor for a difficult experience.