often tougher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "often tougher" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is frequently more difficult or challenging than another thing. Example: "In many cases, the second exam is often tougher than the first one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

European regulators are often tougher on prices.

The New York Times

And the crowds are younger, prettier and often tougher.

The New York Times

That's because the requirements for the condition of the property are often tougher for F.H.A. loans, so some sellers may be wary of being asked to make repairs before the sale can proceed.

The New York Times

"It's sort of the opposite of the corporate structure," which is often tougher to enter but easier to navigate, said Paul Rivers, manager of system and network security at the University of California, Berkeley.

The New York Times

Unless you're a millionaire with a rolodex of connections, keeping a party from getting shut down is often tougher than getting your dealer to show up on time.

Vice

"This is because individuals and small-cells are often tougher to spot, predict and thwart (relative to extremist organizations with larger physical and digital footprints) before they can carry out an act of violence".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The better done ends are often tough.

The New York Times

"These experts ask excellent — and often tough — questions," Mr. Kerins said.

The New York Times

In between, though, and for that matter before she was hired, things were often tough.

The New York Times

(It's often tough to tell whether he's incredibly bad or incredibly good at PR).

The Guardian - Books

By then, Steiger was 30 and had weathered a bleak, often tough early life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "often tougher", ensure that the comparison is clear. Specify what exactly is "often tougher" than what, to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The second draft is often tougher than the first one".

Common error

Avoid using "often tougher" without establishing a clear comparison point. Saying "Life is often tougher" lacks context. Instead, specify, for instance, "Life in a big city is often tougher than in a small town".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "often tougher" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a comparative adjective. According to Ludwig AI, the construction is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It serves to qualify or intensify the degree of difficulty associated with something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "often tougher" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote that something is frequently more difficult or challenging than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and this guide provides a comprehensive understanding of its usage. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify the items being compared. Consider alternatives like "frequently more challenging" or "commonly more difficult" for nuanced expression. "Often tougher" effectively conveys that the increased difficulty is a recurring experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently more challenging

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and "tougher" with "more challenging", altering the tone slightly but maintaining the core meaning.

commonly more difficult

Substitutes "often" with "commonly" and "tougher" with "more difficult", providing a more formal alternative.

generally more demanding

Replaces "often" with "generally" and "tougher" with "more demanding", emphasizing the increased requirements or effort.

usually more strenuous

Changes "often" to "usually" and "tougher" to "more strenuous", highlighting the increased exertion involved.

typically more rigorous

Replaces "often" with "typically" and "tougher" with "more rigorous", emphasizing the increased strictness or thoroughness.

regularly more problematic

Substitutes "often" with "regularly" and "tougher" with "more problematic", focusing on the increased issues or troubles.

more challenging on average

Rephrases "often tougher" to highlight the average level of challenge.

harder more times than not

An informal alternative that suggests something is more often difficult than not.

more stringent frequently

Inverts the order and uses "more stringent" in place of "tougher", altering the emphasis.

increasingly difficult

Focuses on a trend of increasing difficulty, rather than a static comparison. Also removes frequency.

FAQs

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

Use "often tougher" to compare the relative difficulty of two situations or tasks. For example, "Regulations in Europe are "often tougher" than in the US".

What are some alternatives to "often tougher"?

You can use phrases like "frequently more challenging", "commonly more difficult", or "generally more demanding" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "often tougher" grammatically correct?

Yes, "often tougher" is grammatically correct. It combines the adverb "often" to indicate frequency with the comparative adjective "tougher".

Which is correct, "often tougher" or "more often tough"?

"Often tougher" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. "More often tough" is grammatically correct, but sounds less natural. Prefer ""often tougher"" for a smoother flow.