incredibly tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incredibly tough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very difficult or challenging, whether it's a task, situation, or person. Example: "The exam was incredibly tough, and many students struggled to finish it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Incredibly tough, in fact.

Independent

"That's an incredibly tough double".

The New York Times - Sports

It's an incredibly tough sport.

The Guardian - Sport

She's an incredibly tough opponent.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't get me wrong, it's incredibly tough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She must have been incredibly tough.

The Guardian

I came through an incredibly tough match".

The Guardian - Sport

"They're either really girly or incredibly tough.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Yes, but it has been incredibly tough.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, these are incredibly tough times.

The Guardian - Opinion

When he's doing that, he's incredibly tough to beat".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a challenging situation, use "incredibly tough" to emphasize the extreme difficulty. For instance, "Navigating the legal landscape was an incredibly tough process."

Common error

While "incredibly tough" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "really hard" or "super difficult" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredibly tough" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to emphasize a high degree of difficulty, resilience, or demanding nature. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase effectively conveys the intensity of a challenge or the strength of an individual or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incredibly tough" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe something as being exceptionally difficult or resilient. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian, BBC, and The New York Times. It functions as a compound adjective, typically found in neutral contexts such as news and lifestyle articles. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate. Related phrases such as "exceptionally challenging" or "remarkably resilient" can add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously difficult

Uses a more direct and straightforward tone to express the high level of difficulty.

exceptionally challenging

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" and "incredibly" with "exceptionally", focusing on the demanding nature.

unusually demanding

Highlights the high level of requirements or expectations, using "demanding" as a synonym for "tough".

extremely arduous

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved, substituting "tough" with "arduous" and "incredibly" with "extremely".

remarkably resilient

Shifts the focus to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, using "resilient" instead of "tough".

extraordinarily robust

Focuses on the strength and durability of something, replacing "tough" with "robust".

intensely rigorous

Highlights the strictness and thoroughness required, using "rigorous" as a synonym for "tough".

terribly resilient

Emphasizes the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, using "terribly" instead of "incredibly".

highly resistant

Focuses on the ability to withstand pressure or damage, presenting a variation on the concept of toughness.

genuinely formidable

Highlights the quality of inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or intense.

FAQs

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

You can use "incredibly tough" to describe situations, tasks, or people that are very difficult or resilient. For example, "The training regimen was incredibly tough", or "She is an incredibly tough competitor".

What are some alternatives to saying "incredibly tough"?

Alternatives include "extremely difficult", "exceptionally challenging", or "remarkably resilient", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "incredibly tough" in formal writing?

Yes, "incredibly tough" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the significant level of difficulty or resilience. However, consider the specific tone of your writing and whether a more formal synonym like "exceptionally demanding" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "incredibly tough" and "very tough"?

"Incredibly tough" implies a higher degree of difficulty or resilience compared to "very tough". While both phrases indicate a challenge, "incredibly tough" suggests that the situation or task is exceptionally demanding.