tough competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a challenging environment or scenario where multiple entities are vying for the same goal or market. Example: "In the tech industry, there is tough competition among startups to secure funding and attract customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's tough competition.

The Economist

He faces tough competition.

The Guardian - Sport

This reflects the tough competition.

The New York Times

But there is tough competition.

The New York Times

This is a tough competition.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a tough, tough competition".

The Guardian - Sport

Tough competition for the title, but possibly.

Independent

There was tough competition for that.

The New York Times - Arts

But Singapore will face tough competition.

The New York Times

It was a tough competition out there.

Independent

Master Blenders will face tough competition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intensity of competition in a specific industry, use "tough competition" to highlight the demanding nature of the landscape.

Common error

Avoid using "tough competition" when referring to collaborations or cooperative efforts, as it implies opposition rather than partnership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough competition" functions as a noun phrase where "tough" modifies the noun "competition". It acts as a descriptor, indicating the degree of difficulty or intensity present in a competitive situation. Ludwig AI's analysis aligns with this understanding, showcasing examples where the phrase describes market conditions, sports events, or professional environments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough competition" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations characterized by intense rivalry and demanding conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "fierce rivalry" and "intense competition" exist, "tough competition" effectively conveys the challenge and difficulty inherent in such scenarios. Remember to use the phrase when describing situations involving strong opponents striving for the same goal, and avoid it in contexts of collaboration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cutthroat competition

Emphasizes ruthless and aggressive tactics used in the competition.

intense competition

Substitutes "tough" with "intense", highlighting the high degree of engagement and effort involved.

fierce rivalry

Replaces "competition" with "rivalry" and "tough" with "fierce", suggesting a more aggressive contest.

keen competition

Uses "keen" instead of "tough", suggesting a sharp and eager rivalry.

stiff challenge

Shifts from "competition" to "challenge", emphasizing the difficulty posed by rivals.

arduous battle

Draws a parallel with a difficult fight, stressing endurance and determination.

formidable contest

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms to increase the sense of adversity.

close contest

Highlights the tight margin between competitors. It may not emphasize adversity as strongly.

difficult market

Focuses on the demanding conditions of the market, rather than the competition itself.

challenging environment

Broadens the scope to the overall setting in which the competition takes place.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough competition" to describe situations where individuals or organizations are fiercely competing for the same goal. For example, "The company faces "tough competition" in the smartphone market".

What are some alternatives to saying "tough competition"?

Alternatives include "fierce rivalry", "intense competition", or "stiff challenge", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a tough competition"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "tough competition" as a general descriptor rather than specifying "a tough competition" unless you are referring to a particular instance of competition.

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

"Tough competition" emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the competitive environment, while "strong competition" focuses on the strength and capabilities of the competitors.