tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult, strong, or resilient in various contexts. Example: "The exam was really tough, but I managed to pass it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I knew this was going to be a tough fight and we have run a really strong positive campaign and we have fought for every single vote".

The Guardian

My eldest kids had a very tough time when they lost their mum and I don't want them to lose their dad.

The Guardian

"It will be tough".

The New York Times

"These are old monopolies that have become privatised, and I think if you don't get tough regulation, you do get the consumer being ripped off," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian - Money

He's tough.

The New York Times - Sports

Katherine Bavage is 28-year-old Lib Dem member Nick Clegg's departing message to Lib Dem conference was easy to anticipate: coalition may have been tough for the party but it remains right for the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: New year's resolutions: quitting your job, cooking from scratch and shopping sustainably Disconnecting It's incredibly tough for a journalist to disconnect from technology.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wayne Rooney has thanked "tough" Louis van Gaal for helping the Manchester United squad buy into a new football philosophy.

The Guardian - Sport

The new management team at AIB will welcome Lenihan's tough stance.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, if we are going to be tough on border protection to avoid people drowning at sea, we also need to be compassionate by increasing the humanitarian refugee intake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough" to describe something that is not easily broken or overcome. For instance, a "tough" decision is one that is difficult to make but necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "tough" as a generic term for anything negative. Replace it with more descriptive words like "difficult", "challenging", or "severe" to convey the specific nature of the hardship.

Linguistic Context

The word "tough" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their characteristics. It signifies resilience, difficulty, or strength, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Opinion

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough" is a versatile adjective indicating difficulty, strength, or resilience. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news, sports, and lifestyle content. While "tough" is acceptable, consider using alternatives like "difficult" or "challenging" for greater precision. Be mindful not to overuse it as a generic descriptor. Remember, as examples in Ludwig illustrate, specifying what makes something "tough" can add clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult

Focuses on the degree of effort or skill required.

challenging

Emphasizes the stimulating or demanding nature of a situation.

demanding

Highlights the high requirements and expectations involved.

arduous

Stresses the strenuous and tiring aspect of a task.

formidable

Indicates something that inspires respect or fear due to its size or ability.

resilient

Highlights the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

strenuous

Indicates a task requiring great effort and energy.

rigorous

Implies strict and demanding conditions.

testing

Focuses on the act of evaluating someone's abilities or qualities.

unyielding

Highlights the firmness and resistance to pressure or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "tough" in a sentence?

You can use "tough" to describe something difficult, strong, or resilient. For example, "The exam was really tough" or "He's a tough competitor".

What can I say instead of "tough"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult", "challenging", or "demanding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tough situation" or "difficult situation"?

Both "tough situation" and "difficult situation" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Tough situation" emphasizes the resilience needed to overcome it, while "difficult situation" simply highlights the problem's complexity.

What's the difference between "tough" and "strong"?

"Tough" implies resilience and the ability to withstand hardship, while "strong" generally refers to physical power or the ability to exert force. A material can be "tough" (resistant to breaking), while a person can be "strong" (physically powerful).