much tougher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much tougher" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the difficulty or severity of something in a more intense manner. Example: "The new project is much tougher than the last one we completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Much tougher ones were needed.

The Economist

It's much tougher here.

The New Yorker

"Ann is much tougher.

The New York Times - Arts

Much, much tougher.

The Guardian - Books

How much tougher?

The New York Times

He would be much tougher on Iran.

The New York Times

The reality, though, has been much tougher.

The New York Times - Sports

And they could be much tougher still.

The Economist

The House version would be much tougher.

The New York Times

It is tougher now — much tougher.

The New York Times - Sports

It makes you much tougher".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two scenarios or options, use "much tougher" to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty, challenge, or resilience. For example, "Navigating the regulatory landscape is "much tougher" for startups than for established corporations".

Common error

While "much tougher" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal or casual conversations. In such contexts, simpler alternatives like "harder" or "more difficult" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much tougher" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to intensify the adjective "tougher", highlighting a significant increase in difficulty, resilience, or severity compared to something else. This is supported by the numerous examples available, where "much tougher" is used to compare different situations, objects, or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much tougher" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that intensifies the adjective "tougher". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears most commonly in News & Media contexts. It serves to emphasize a substantial increase in difficulty, resilience, or severity. While appropriate in most situations, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in extremely informal settings. When used, "much tougher" effectively conveys a significant contrast between two subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more challenging

Emphasizes the increase in difficulty level.

significantly more difficult

Highlights the substantial increase in difficulty.

substantially more resilient

Focuses on the increased ability to withstand adversity.

considerably more demanding

Stresses the increased requirements and expectations.

considerably more robust

Implies a greater degree of strength and durability.

far more stringent

Highlights increased strictness or rigor.

vastly more rigorous

Emphasizes the higher level of precision and thoroughness.

appreciably more hardened

Highlights the increased resistance due to experience.

noticeably more fortified

Implies a stronger defense or protection.

markedly more unyielding

Focuses on increased inflexibility or determination.

FAQs

How can I use "much tougher" in a sentence?

Use "much tougher" to indicate a significant increase in difficulty or resilience compared to something else. For example: "The second exam was "much tougher" than the first."

What are some alternatives to using "much tougher"?

Alternatives include "significantly more difficult", "considerably more challenging", or "substantially more resilient", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "much tougher" instead of "much more tough"?

Yes, "much tougher" is the correct comparative form. "Tough" is an adjective that forms its comparative with "-er", so "tougher" is correct, and "much tougher" simply intensifies it. "Much more tough" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "much tougher" and "far tougher"?

"Much tougher" indicates a notable increase in difficulty or resilience, while "far tougher" ("far tougher") suggests an even greater degree of difference. "Far tougher" implies a more significant contrast than "much tougher".