rough time for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough time for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging period for someone or something. Example: "After losing his job, it was a rough time for him as he struggled to find new employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was a rough time for me.

The Guardian

"It was a rough time for us," she said.

The New York Times

It was a really, really rough time for me.

The New York Times - Sports

The emergence of the document comes at a rough time for Mr. Jeffries.

The New York Times

His getaway came at a particularly rough time for the senator, the expected Democratic presidential nominee.

The New York Times

The change in leadership comes at a rough time for Bank of America.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

These are rough times for little Normie".

The New Yorker

November has brought rough times for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights.

The Guardian

After a courtship of proselytising together for Beveridge, on street corners and in parish halls, they were married - and stayed so, through some rough times, for 34 years.

The Guardian

As for the recent rough times for dot-coms -- which have caused ad-servers to suffer because fewer ads are delivered when Web sites go dark -- Mr. Taysom said: "We saw it as an opportunity.

The New York Times

A stubborn wind from the northeast ushers in rough times for the House of Atreus, and the Greek ships, en route to Troy, remain trapped in the straits at Aulis.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary to prevent repetition; depending on the context, alternatives like "difficult period" or "challenging phase" can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "rough time for" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Employ synonyms and rephrase sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough time for" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a period or situation characterized by difficulty or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough time for" is a versatile phrase used to describe periods of difficulty or hardship. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent application in news and media, and academia. While highly common, varying your language is advised to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives such as "difficult period for" or "challenging time for" can provide nuanced expressions of the same sentiment. As shown by many examples in Ludwig, it serves to express empathy, describe challenges, and provide context across diverse situations, making it a staple in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult period for

Replaces "rough time" with a more neutral term. This diminishes the intensity of the adversity.

testing times for

Similar to "rough time", but highlights the aspect of being tested or challenged.

challenging moment for

Substitutes "time" for "moment" and "rough" for "challenging" offering a slightly more positive framing.

hard experience for

Emphasizes the impact of the difficulty by using "experience" instead of "time".

a spell of adversity for

Introduces the idea of a limited duration using "a spell of adversity", implying it will eventually pass.

trying circumstances for

Replaces "rough time" with a more formal and indirect phrase.

tough situation for

Uses a more colloquial term, "tough situation", making it less formal.

adverse conditions for

Implies external factors causing the difficulty, suitable for formal contexts.

dark days for

Evokes a sense of despair and gloom, suggesting a particularly severe period.

unpleasant phase for

Downplays the severity of the difficulty by describing as an "unpleasant phase".

FAQs

How can I use "rough time for" in a sentence?

You can use "rough time for" to describe a period of difficulty or hardship for someone or something. For example, "It's been a "rough time for" small businesses during the pandemic".

What's a more formal alternative to "rough time for"?

More formal alternatives include "difficult period for" or "challenging time for", which maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is "rough time for" an idiom?

While "rough time for" is a common expression, it's not strictly an idiom. It's a straightforward way to describe a period of difficulty without relying on figurative language.

How does "rough time for" differ from "hard time for"?

"Rough time for" and "hard time for" are largely interchangeable, but "rough" suggests a more turbulent or unpleasant experience, while "hard" emphasizes the effort required to overcome the difficulty.