reasonably tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is challenging but not excessively so, often in contexts like sports, academics, or personal challenges. Example: "The exam was reasonably tough, requiring a good understanding of the material but not impossible to pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's simple, it works, and you'd think it would be reasonably tough to screw up.

The Guardian - Sport

The first was reasonably tough and lead to the island's summit, with good views in all directions.

The Guardian - Travel

Financial reform is needed to try to ensure such a crisis never happens again, and the bill cobbled together by Senate Democrats is reasonably tough.

The New York Times

Angola played the United States reasonably tough in a 97-76 loss and showed where the Americans need to make drastic improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, Mr. Gingrich received a qualified endorsement from Sarah Palin late Tuesday night, while Mr. Romney has had a reasonably tough news cycle with much attention focused on his tax returns and other controversies.

The New York Times

He's definitely a confidant, and we've both been through reasonably tough times recently, so there's an understanding between us that means there are things I'd feel happier talking about with him than with mates I've known since I was 11.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Although Ms. Hamilton's somewhat tough Ophelia goes against the character's traditionally fragile grain, her descent into madness stays reasonably credible.

The New York Times

"If you're looking for flooring that's reasonably priced, tough and realistic-looking, and you want to install it yourself, laminates are the way to go," he said.

The New York Times

His proposals are modest, such as the creation of a new "China enforcement task-force" within his own office (similar units already exist in the Commerce Department).Will this two-track strategy (sounding tough, acting reasonably) work?

The Economist

A game's final missions should be its most challenging and imaginative, but here, after several tough but reasonably entertaining levels involving escapes from dozens of unkillable bad guys, the hovercraft missions seem tossed in as an afterthought.

The New York Times - Tech

Lancashire batsman Karl Brown: "I'm disappointed we've lost having got reasonably close from a tough position, but we have to give Yorkshire a lot of credit.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably tough" to describe challenges that require effort and resilience, but are achievable with dedication and the right approach. This applies to scenarios ranging from physical activities and academic pursuits to professional projects.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably tough" when the situation is either extremely challenging or trivially easy. The phrase implies a balance between difficulty and manageability. For significantly harder situations, consider "extremely challenging" or "exceptionally demanding".

Linguistic Context

"Reasonably tough" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, typically describing a noun. It serves to qualify the degree of difficulty or resilience required in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably tough" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is challenging but not excessively so. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is grammatically correct and functions as an adjective phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, though formal writing might benefit from more sophisticated synonyms. When using this phrase, ensure the level of difficulty aligns with its intended meaning to avoid overstating the challenge. Consider alternatives like ""moderately challenging"" or ""fairly difficult"" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately challenging

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" and "reasonably" with "moderately", softening the intensity slightly.

fairly difficult

Substitutes "tough" with "difficult" and "reasonably" with "fairly", creating a more neutral tone.

somewhat demanding

Uses "demanding" instead of "tough", implying a requirement of effort or skill, and "somewhat" in place of "reasonably".

not overly strenuous

Emphasizes the lack of excessive effort required, using a more formal tone.

moderately arduous

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms, indicating a task that requires effort but isn't overwhelming.

genuinely testing

Emphasizes that something provides a real assessment of one's abilities using a slightly more emphatic tone.

passably rigorous

Indicates that something meets a certain level of strictness or thoroughness, without being excessively so.

relatively grueling

Suggests an experience that is physically or mentally exhausting to a certain degree.

slightly taxing

Indicates that something imposes a burden or strain, but only to a small extent.

comfortably testing

Suggests a test or challenge that is within one's capabilities without an extreme amount of strain.

FAQs

What does "reasonably tough" mean?

The phrase "reasonably tough" describes something that is challenging but not excessively so. It implies that the task or situation requires effort and resilience, but is still achievable.

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

You can use "reasonably tough" to describe various situations. For example: "The exam was "moderately challenging", requiring a good understanding of the material" or "The hike was "fairly difficult", but the view from the top was worth it."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably tough"?

Some alternatives to "reasonably tough" include "moderately challenging", "fairly difficult", or "somewhat demanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "reasonably tough" formal or informal?

"Reasonably tough" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "moderately arduous" or "not overly strenuous".