tough context

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough context" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult situation or environment in which something occurs or is discussed. Example: "In a tough context like this, it's important to remain resilient and adaptable to change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This is a tough context in which we find ourselves," said Representative Steny H. Hoyer, the House majority leader.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is an important and salient tool for young people who are growing up in tough contexts.

Columbia University

But it's a tough budget context and we understand that".

The Guardian

But leading an effort to enforce United Nations sanctions--starting with immediate action on the new report providing detailed evidence of violations thereof--would show that the Obama Administration is serious about pursuing multilateral action on matters of principle, even in tough political contexts.

Huffington Post

Despite previous increases in public budget for clinical research, competition for obtaining funds is therefore rough since the success rates for grants remained fairly the same [ 2] and the competition will become even tougher in a context of public financial pressures to limit the budget for biomedical research [ 2, 6, 7].

BMC Public Health

Mr. Heyward added: "It appeared within the proper context, with tough, direct questions and perspective provided.

The New York Times

If the cases go to trial, he said, "these burdens will be particularly tough in the climate context".

The New York Times

In that context, the tough American stance against the government, as enunciated by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, carried a special weight.

The New York Times

O'Hare said "Derek would call me out of the blue for freelance, and it was tough to know the context of stuff".

Wikipedia

I think in the context of being tough, like physically tough that can bang, you'd rather have a team that is mentally tougher than the opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

However, the downside of introducing American tough guys in a Brit context is they inevitably make our tough guys look a bit less tough.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough context", ensure the surrounding sentences clearly define what makes the context challenging. Be specific about the difficulties involved.

Common error

Avoid using "tough context" as a generic descriptor. Always provide concrete details about the challenges inherent in the context to give the phrase more weight and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough context" functions as an adjective-noun phrase that modifies a situation, highlighting its challenging nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase to describe challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough context" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe challenging or difficult situations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a good way to frame a problematic setting, influencing the reader's perception. It is widely used across news, academic, and scientific sources, denoting a neutral register. Remember to use this phrase with specificity, detailing the precise difficulties inherent in the situation. Alternatives like ""challenging situation"" or "difficult circumstances" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging situation

Replaces "tough" with a synonym and "context" with a closely related term.

difficult circumstances

Uses different words to convey the same idea of a problematic environment.

demanding environment

Emphasizes the rigor and hardship of the context.

arduous situation

Emphasizes the difficulty and strain of the context.

complex scenario

Highlights the intricacy and complicated nature of the context.

trying conditions

Focuses on the testing and straining aspect of the context.

unfavorable setting

Indicates a negative or disadvantageous situation.

problematic background

Highlights the issues and troubles associated with the context.

adverse conditions

Stresses the negative and harmful nature of the circumstances.

difficult backdrop

Uses "backdrop" as a synonym for "context", maintaining the sense of a challenging environment.

FAQs

What does "tough context" mean?

The phrase "tough context" refers to a difficult or challenging situation or environment in which something occurs or is considered. It implies that the circumstances are not easy or favorable.

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

You can use "tough context" to describe a difficult situation. For example: "In a "challenging situation" like this, it's crucial to remain resilient."

What are some alternatives to "tough context"?

Alternatives include "difficult circumstances", "demanding environment", or ""challenging situation"". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tough context" in formal writing?

Yes, "tough context" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a challenging situation. However, ensure your writing is clear and you give examples.