tough argument

USAGE SUMMARY

"tough argument" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a difficult or challenging debate or disagreement between two or more parties. You can use it in situations where there is a strong difference of opinion or conflicting viewpoints. For example: - "The two politicians engaged in a tough argument during the debate, with neither one backing down." - "It was a tough argument to settle the dispute between the two companies, as they both had valid points." - "We had a tough argument about which movie to see, but ultimately we compromised and chose a different one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

That's a very tough argument to make".

The New York Times

"A tough argument, but an argument".

The New York Times

Yet that could be a tough argument to make.

The New York Times

"The tax inefficiency, the 2 and 20 fee and the lack of liquidity make it a tough argument".

The New York Times

That will be a, politically, very tough argument for the DOJ and the White House to make, I think.

The Washington Post

That's a tough argument to make in this context, of course, but it's worth remembering that it's not clear in which direction the influence flows.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

These are tough arguments to win.

The New York Times

Mr. Sanders is now putting forward tough arguments against Mrs. Clinton — over donations from people who work in the oil and gas industry, for example.

The New York Times

The Gulf already accounts for 10% of the company's worldwide oil production, a share that could be higher in the future.Mr Hayward needs to salt his apologies for the disaster with some tough arguments about the virtues of offshore drilling.

The Economist

He had tough arguments with girls and afterwards sweet reconciliation.

BBC

"It is an opportunity for all of us and I am confident through sensible dialogue and a few tough arguments we will get to a better place.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough argument", ensure the context clearly indicates why the argument is considered difficult. Provide supporting details or evidence to emphasize the challenge involved in presenting or countering it.

Common error

Avoid using "tough argument" for minor disagreements or easily resolved issues. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when describing truly challenging debates.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough argument" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "argument". It describes the nature of the argument, indicating it is challenging or difficult. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough argument" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a challenging or difficult debate. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a usable expression in various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context justifies the description of difficulty, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives like "difficult contention" or "challenging claim" can provide nuanced variations, maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult contention

Emphasizes the difficulty in maintaining or proving the argument.

challenging claim

Highlights the demanding nature of the assertion.

formidable dispute

Focuses on the strong and potentially intimidating nature of the disagreement.

strong disagreement

Highlights the intensity of conflicting opinions.

strenuous debate

Emphasizes the effort and energy involved in the argument.

hard-fought point

Highlights that significant effort was required to win the argument.

contentious issue

Focuses on the controversial nature of the topic being argued.

debatable proposition

Emphasizes the uncertainty and openness to discussion of the argument.

hotly debated topic

Stresses the passionate and intense discussions surrounding the subject.

serious controversy

Underlines the grave implications of the disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough argument" to describe a challenging debate or a point of view that is difficult to defend. For example, "Presenting that proposal was a "tough argument" to make to the board".

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

"Tough argument" implies difficulty in presenting or defending a viewpoint, while "strong argument" suggests the viewpoint is well-supported and convincing. They differ in that /s/strong+argument emphasizes validity, while /s/tough+argument stresses the difficulty.

What are some alternatives to "tough argument"?

You can use alternatives such as "difficult contention", "challenging claim", or "formidable dispute" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "tough argument"?

It's appropriate in contexts where a point is difficult to prove or defend, such as in legal debates, policy discussions, or academic analyses. Avoid using it for minor disagreements or easily resolved issues.