highly tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly tough" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to emphasize a high degree of toughness, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The material is highly tough, making it ideal for extreme conditions."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

CD hydrogels were highly tough and did not fracture under compression to 90% strain at the maximum.

Polymer

Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was incorporated into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to formulate fully biobased and highly tough ESO/PLA blends by using tannic acid (TA) as a green vulcanizing agent.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You have to get cash out of their highly leveraged subsidiaries, it can be extremely tough.

Forbes

A highly respected tough cop on the streets of New York, she was also a committed mother, devoted wife and good friend to her overtly sexy single partner Christine Cagney (played by Sharon Gless).

The Guardian - Books

Sun, J.-Y. et al. Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels.

Nature

It is tough, highly transparent and about a hundred times lighter than glass.

The Guardian - Arts

Hong, S. et al. 3D printing of highly stretchable and tough hydrogels into complex, cellularized structures.

Nature

Fang, J. et al. Forced protein unfolding leads to highly elastic and tough protein hydrogels.

Nature

We know an awful lot about graduate schemes; they're often well paid, highly respected and tough to get onto.

The Guardian

It is difficult to engineer a material that is both highly stiff and tough, because increasing one generally decreases the other.

Harvard University

Its "résonance", and that of his highly wrought, intellectually tough and deeply passionate music, will undoubtedly ring on through the 21st century and beyond.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials, consider using more specific terms like "highly durable" or "extremely resilient" instead of "highly tough" to convey the intended meaning more clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "highly tough" in formal writing or technical contexts. Opt for established alternatives such as "extremely durable" or "very resilient" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly tough" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant degree of resilience or strength. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, it's not the most common or elegant phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly tough" is used to describe something with a significant degree of resilience or strength. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is not the most common or elegant phrasing. While grammatically acceptable, it's often preferable to use alternatives like "extremely durable" or "very resilient" for greater clarity and stylistic impact. Examples from Ludwig's database show its application across various contexts, including science and news, but its uncommon usage suggests that more standard alternatives are generally favored. The phrase sees usage in describing materials, people, and situations but choosing a different phrase such as "extremely durable", "very resilient" or "exceptionally robust" will likely provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely durable

Replaces "tough" with "durable", focusing on the ability to withstand wear and tear with a great intensity.

very resilient

Substitutes "tough" with "resilient", highlighting the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties with high degree.

exceptionally robust

Uses "robust" instead of "tough", emphasizing strength and health with an extraordinary level.

remarkably sturdy

Replaces "tough" with "sturdy", stressing solid construction and the ability to withstand pressure in a notable way.

considerably strong

Emphasizes the intensity of the "strong" attribute.

particularly resistant

Focuses on the ability to withstand or fight against something, differing from general toughness.

intensely challenging

Shifts the meaning towards difficulty or demanding effort, not physical strength.

significantly difficult

Highlights the level of difficulty with an emphasis on the attribute itself.

notably rigorous

Emphasizes the demanding and strict nature, moving away from physical toughness.

highly competitive

Focuses on competitiveness, indicating a demanding environment rather than physical toughness.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "highly tough"?

Instead of "highly tough", you could use phrases like "extremely durable", "very resilient", or "exceptionally robust" to describe something strong and resilient.

Is "highly tough" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "highly tough" is less common than alternatives like "very tough" or "extremely tough". It's better to use more standard phrasing to ensure clarity and avoid awkwardness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "highly tough"?

It might be appropriate when you want to emphasize the degree of toughness, but in most cases, other options offer greater clarity and stylistic preference. Consider if "extremely durable" or "remarkably sturdy" might be better choices.

What does "highly tough" mean?

"Highly tough" implies that something possesses a significant degree of resilience, strength, or the ability to withstand stress and damage. However, using alternatives such as "very resilient" or "exceptionally robust" provides more clarity.