it has been rough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been rough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult or challenging experience or period in your life. Example: "This past month has been tough; it has been rough dealing with all the changes at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It has been rough going for the authority and its contractor, Adesta Transportation, which have been criticized for escalating costs and missed deadlines.

The New York Times

It has been rough sledding for the fund recently, and its return of -16% since inception seems nothing to brag about, except that a passive investment in the S&P 500 is off 35% over the same period.

Forbes

Jerilyn: It has been rough.

The New York Times

It has been rough going ever since.

The New Yorker

But without their textbooks and other materials, it has been rough.

The New York Times

But holy cow, as ol' Scooter Rizzuto would have said, it has been rough going since.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

After he raped Patty, he said he was sorry "it" had been rougher than he'd meant "it" to be, he was sorry about that.

The New Yorker

And it has been roughed up both times.

TechCrunch

Moreover, she had been on call for an entire weekend, and it had been rough: she had cared for a young woman, closer to my age than to hers, who had a massive heart attack.

The New Yorker

"Initially, I knew that she'd had unconsensual sex, and it had been rough, with Morgan," she says.

Vice

For the last three years, Pat Robertson, the television evangelist, has been trying to start it again, but the going has been rough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the phrase in contexts where you want to convey empathy or understanding towards someone's challenging experience.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "it has been rough" in highly formal or professional contexts where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Alternatives like "it has been challenging" or "it has been a difficult period" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been rough" functions as a statement expressing difficulty or hardship. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and readily used across various contexts, serving to acknowledge challenging experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been rough" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to express that a situation has been difficult or challenging. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in the News & Media contexts. While versatile, consider the context before using this phrase, as more formal language might be required in certain professional settings. For alternative ways to express this idea, consider using "it has been tough", "it has been challenging", or "it has been difficult".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been challenging

Replaces "rough" with "challenging", indicating difficulty.

it has been difficult

Substitutes "rough" with "difficult", emphasizing the hardship faced.

it has been tough

Uses "tough" instead of "rough", suggesting resilience is needed.

it has been a struggle

Emphasizes the ongoing effort required to overcome difficulties.

it has been an ordeal

Implies a particularly unpleasant or prolonged experience.

it has been hard going

Focuses on the progress being slow and arduous.

it has been a trying time

Highlights the emotional strain and testing nature of the period.

it has been a bumpy ride

Metaphorically describes the experience as unstable and uneven.

it has been an uphill battle

Indicates persistent opposition and effort against resistance.

it has been a harsh period

Stresses the severity and unpleasantness of the time.

FAQs

What does "it has been rough" mean?

The phrase "it has been rough" means that someone has experienced a difficult or challenging time. It's a way of acknowledging hardship or difficulty.

What can I say instead of "it has been rough"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been tough", "it has been difficult", or "it has been challenging" depending on the context.

Is "it has been rough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it has been rough" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it has been rough"?

It is appropriate to use "it has been rough" in informal and semi-formal contexts to express empathy or acknowledge a challenging situation. Avoid it in highly formal settings.