tough communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where communication is difficult or challenging, often due to the nature of the message being conveyed. Example: "Delivering the news of the layoffs was tough communication for the manager, but it was necessary to be transparent with the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of our clients is a SVP who was dealing with a Director who had a fairly tough-minded, abrasive communication style that was turning people off within her team.

Forbes

Underwater, communication is tough.

The New York Times

It's extremely dangerous, and makes it tough even for personal communication between East and West".

Independent

"We've talked about that," says Donais, "but we've found that it's really tough to find a communication option that isn't used sarcastically by our players.

Vice

The new equipment must also meet tougher intelligibility standards for communication.

The New York Times - Science

He explained that as stress affects everyone differently, it can be tough to spot, so good communication is vital.

The Guardian

Hopefully the disgrace of Sandusky will open the lines of communication about a tough subject.

Huffington Post

[um] So communication was really tough.

BMJ Open

The greater the profusion of languages, the tougher the first type of communication is.

TechCrunch

K: In Beijing, the communication was the toughest.

Huffington Post

As just an inter-process communication mechanism it is tough to beat.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough communication", consider the specific aspect of the communication that makes it difficult. Is it the topic, the audience, or the medium?

Common error

Avoid using "tough communication" as a catch-all phrase. Be specific about why the communication is difficult. Instead of saying "It was a time of "tough communication"," explain what made it challenging, such as "The company faced strained communication due to the layoffs."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough communication" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'tough' modifies the noun 'communication'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase typically describes situations where communicating is difficult or presents significant challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough communication" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe challenging or difficult communication scenarios. According to Ludwig AI, it is generally accepted and usable in written English. When using this phrase, it's important to consider specific contexts and be prepared to elaborate on what makes the communication particularly "tough". Alternatives like "difficult communication" or "challenging communication" can offer more nuanced descriptions. Being specific and mindful of your audience will improve clarity and effectiveness when discussing these sensitive subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult communication

Replaces "tough" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge in communicating.

challenging communication

Uses "challenging" instead of "tough", highlighting the demanding nature of the communication.

complex communication

Substitutes "tough" with "complex", focusing on the intricate aspects of the communication.

problematic communication

Replaces "tough" with "problematic", indicating issues within the communication process.

strenuous communication

Uses "strenuous" to emphasize the effort required in the communication.

arduous communication

Similar to strenuous, but implying a more prolonged and laborious communication process.

demanding communication

Focuses on the high expectations or requirements placed on the communication.

strained communication

Highlights the tension or pressure affecting the communication.

uncomfortable communication

Emphasizes the awkward or unpleasant nature of the communication.

sensitive communication

Highlights the need for careful and tactful handling during communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough communication" to describe scenarios where communication is challenging, such as "Navigating the merger required "tough communication" between departments" or "Addressing performance issues necessitates "tough communication" with employees".

What are some alternatives to "tough communication"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult communication", "challenging communication", or "complex communication" depending on the specific context.

When is "tough communication" an appropriate phrase to use?

"Tough communication" is appropriate when the act of communicating is inherently difficult due to sensitive topics, conflicting opinions, or high stakes, but be specific about the reasons why is tough.

What makes communication "tough"?

Communication can be "tough" due to various reasons, including emotional subjects, cultural differences, power dynamics, or delivering bad news. A phrase like "sensitive communication" may be more appropriate in some of those situations.