really tough

USAGE SUMMARY

"really tough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is especially difficult or challenging. For example: "Finding a job in this economy is really tough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Really tough.

University of California, Berkeley

That is really tough.

Princeton University

It's been really tough.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's really tough, though.

The New York Times

It's tough, really tough".

The New York Times

A really tough character.

The New York Times

"Really, really tough".

The New York Times - Sports

"So it's really tough.

The New York Times - Sports

It's really tough work".

The New York Times

It's really, really tough.

The New York Times

It was really, really tough.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "really tough", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the level of difficulty or challenge. For example, use it to describe a "really tough" exam or a "really tough" decision.

Common error

While "really tough" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "exceptionally demanding" or "particularly challenging" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really tough" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a high degree of difficulty or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it describing situations, tasks, and even people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

21%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really tough" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to emphasize difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources. While suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and sports, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing where a higher level of sophistication is desired. Overall, understanding the nuances of "really tough" and its alternatives ensures effective communication in diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely challenging

Emphasizes the demanding nature of a situation, task, or experience, suggesting it requires significant effort and skill.

particularly difficult

Highlights the level of hardship involved, indicating that something is not just hard, but notably so.

exceptionally demanding

Stresses the high expectations and requirements placed on someone or something, often in terms of effort or skill.

incredibly arduous

Implies a task or journey that is not only difficult but also requires sustained effort and endurance.

seriously problematic

Focuses on the troubles or obstacles a situation presents, indicating potential negative consequences.

quite rigorous

Suggests that something adheres strictly to rules or procedures, making it demanding to follow or complete.

intensely competitive

Emphasizes a situation where there is strong rivalry and a high degree of effort is required to succeed.

remarkably stringent

Indicates that something has very strict rules or requirements that are challenging to meet.

noticeably severe

Highlights the gravity or intensity of a situation, suggesting potential negative impacts.

genuinely taxing

Focuses on the depleting effect of something, indicating it requires a significant amount of energy or resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "really tough" to describe something that is very difficult or challenging. For example: "The exam was "really tough"", or "Making that decision was "really tough"".

What are some alternatives to saying "really tough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extremely challenging", "particularly difficult", or "exceptionally demanding".

Is it appropriate to use "really tough" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "really tough" might be considered too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "quite rigorous" or "noticeably severe" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What makes something "really tough" versus just "tough"?

The addition of "really" intensifies the adjective "tough", indicating a significantly higher degree of difficulty or challenge. It emphasizes that something is not just difficult, but notably or exceptionally so.