rough character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is tough, unrefined, or has a difficult personality. Example: "Despite his rough character, many people admire his honesty and straightforwardness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"She says he was very crude, a very rough character".

The New York Times - Travel

The storyline is worked out, rough character sketches are produced and a detailed, scene-by-scene storyboard is put together.

The Economist

At the same time, Mr. Wood had already decided, according to his deposition, that Mr. Contini could be a rough character.

The New York Times

Torres, who is 38, grew up in a dicey section of Chicago, and even by the standards of his neighborhood he was a rough character.

The New York Times - Magazine

That was the month the Knicks and the Rangers shared the building during their scintillating runs, a confluence of events that would make Messier much more than just a rough character who could skate and score, more than just a player who once teamed with Wayne Gretzky for four championships in Edmonton.

The New York Times - Sports

Though we first meet the Counselor in a raw and nicely intimate bedroom scene with his fiancee (Penelope Cruz), he's already a rough character, hanging out with the cartoonish thug played by Javier Bardem, and the drawling, 10-gallon-hat-wearing know-it-all played by Brad Pitt.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I was having a lot of troubles with cocaine… I was hanging out with some pretty rough characters.

Independent

As a good many rough characters visited the mountains, it was not considered safe to leave the store, a half mile from the nearest house, over night".

The New Yorker

Crowded with rough characters and busy with incident, it wants to be the "Casino" of smut, or perhaps a "Boogie Nights" for the digital era.

The New York Times

But, as a woman, to get to play rough characters that are usually part of more male-driven stories, gives me a lot of freedom and versatility in terms of my career".

Independent

THERE was a time when the annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada drew a crowd of rough characters from Canada's northern bush intent on whooping it up in the big city and telling tall tales to financiers about their mining claims.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "rough character" to imply a lack of social refinement and a potential for conflict. Consider the specific aspects of their personality and background that contribute to this roughness.

Common error

Avoid using "rough character" in professional or academic writing where a more nuanced and specific description of personality traits would be more appropriate. Opt for terms that convey specific behaviors or qualities rather than a general sense of roughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough character" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "character". It is typically used to describe a person with an unrefined or difficult personality. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

13%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rough character" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone with an unrefined or difficult personality. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase. While acceptable in most contexts, it might be too informal for professional settings, where more specific and nuanced language would be preferable. Alternatives like "difficult person" or "uncouth individual" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, with less frequent occurrences in Science and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult character

Focuses on challenging aspects of the person's personality.

crude personality

Stresses the lack of refinement in behavior and speech.

unrefined individual

Emphasizes the lack of polish or sophistication.

gruff individual

Highlights a harsh or stern demeanor.

abrasive personality

Highlights the irritating and off-putting qualities of the person.

uncouth person

Highlights the lack of manners and social grace.

boorish type

Focuses on the rudeness and insensitivity of the person.

tough customer

Implies resilience and difficulty in dealing with the person.

troublesome sort

Emphasizes the problems or difficulties associated with the person.

unsavory figure

Suggests questionable morals or ethics.

FAQs

How can I use "rough character" in a sentence?

You can use "rough character" to describe someone with a difficult or unrefined personality, like in the sentence: "Despite his "rough character", he had a strong sense of justice."

What are some alternatives to "rough character"?

Alternatives include "difficult person", "uncouth individual", or "abrasive personality", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as a "rough character" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, using "rough character" might be too informal for professional environments. Consider using more descriptive and professional language to convey similar qualities.

What's the difference between a "rough character" and a "flawed character"?

A ""rough character"" typically lacks social graces and may be difficult to get along with, while a "flawed character" has moral or ethical shortcomings that drive their actions and story arc.