is rather tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult or challenging in a somewhat informal manner. Example: "The exam was quite challenging, and I must admit, it is rather tough to prepare for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The chef is rather tough".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Lyuba, the original, would be rather tough now.

The New Yorker

"I think I was rather tough," she replies.

The Guardian - Books

And, as Nelson remarked, "When Elvis returned from the army, the competition was rather tough for all young male singers".

The Guardian - Music

In opposition, Fidesz was rather tough on Putinism, producing a robust foreign policy document urging Europe to take a tougher, more united stand against Russian mischief-making and revanchism.

The Economist

Secondly, designing a heuristic scheduling algorithm is easy when the problem is relatively simple but could be rather tough when the scheduling environments and objectives become complicated.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The Verstegens both know from their own experience that going abroad to work or study can be rather tough.

Science Magazine

However, it is important to work to commercial time scales as well, and sometimes juggling the two can be rather tough!

Science Magazine

It packs all the goods of a Harmony Remote into a wireless keyboard that will be rather tough to lose between the couch cushions.

TechCrunch

For starters, it's rather tough to type efficiently on the Surface RT's on-screen keyboard when holding the tablet.

TechCrunch

With even Nokia pretty much giving up on Symbian, it's rather tough to get excited about the platform at this point.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact, pair "is rather tough" with words like 'but' or 'however' to present a balanced view, acknowledging the difficulty while suggesting potential solutions or positive aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather tough" in highly formal or academic writing, as it may come across as too colloquial. Opt for more formal alternatives like "is considerably challenging" or "is significantly demanding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather tough" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating it describes something difficult or challenging. Examples show it modifying nouns to express the degree of difficulty involved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Science & Research

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is rather tough" serves as a descriptive adjective phrase used to convey that something presents considerable difficulty, as validated by Ludwig. It avoids extremes, offering a balanced perspective suitable for contexts that require nuance. Primarily featured in News & Media and Science domains, according to Ludwig AI, its register maintains neutrality, making it a versatile choice for various communicative purposes. Understanding its function aids in appropriately conveying the intended degree of challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite challenging

Emphasizes the level of difficulty involved.

is fairly difficult

Highlights the level of effort required.

is somewhat arduous

Focuses on the laboriousness of the task.

is notably demanding

Stresses the high requirements involved.

is a bit complicated

Underlines the complex nature of the matter.

is reasonably taxing

Highlights the burdensome aspect of the endeavor.

is moderately rigorous

Emphasizes the strictness involved.

is seriously testing

Stresses the capability to assess one's abilities.

is substantially trying

Highlights the emotionally draining aspect.

is notably problematic

Focuses on the trouble involved.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather tough" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather tough" to describe something challenging but not impossible. For example: "The exam "is rather tough", but with enough preparation, it is manageable".

What can I say instead of "is rather tough"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite challenging", "is fairly difficult", or "is somewhat arduous" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is rather tough" or "is very tough"?

Both ""is rather tough"" and "is very tough" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Is rather tough" implies a nuanced difficulty, while "is very tough" denotes a more intense challenge.

What's the difference between "is rather tough" and "is relatively tough"?

"Is rather tough" suggests a general level of difficulty, whereas "is relatively tough" implies a comparison to something else. For instance, "The hike is rather tough" means it's generally challenging, while "The hike is relatively tough compared to the previous one" means it's tougher in comparison.