tough emphasis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough emphasis" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to stress something in a strong or forceful manner, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "In this debate, I want to place tough emphasis on the importance of climate change action."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sung in the mood of an upbeat gospel, the song bursts with praise of President Bush and of a federal law that is raising hackles in some parts of the country that worry about a too-tough emphasis on testing.

The New York Times

Yaakov Har-Oz Beit Shemesh, Israel, Dec. 1, 2008 • To the Editor: Roger Cohen counsels Hillary Rodham Clinton, once she is secretary of state, to shift American policy toward Israel to one of "tough love, with the emphasis on tough".

The New York Times

The American emphasis on tough border controls and with strict immigration rules and an over-reliance on information-gathering technology has failed to make the country more secure.

The New York Times

He has greatly increased the percentage of first-degree murder cases in which the death penalty has been called for, and has put an emphasis on tough punishments.

The New York Times

Early on Saturday, the final chapter in Syracuse-versus-Georgetown was typical of so many contests between these foes through the decades: tough, physical, with an emphasis on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

And in his initial television ad that began airing last week, Trump reinforces his emphasis on tough immigration enforcement, with a bleak depiction of young men sprawled atop freight train cars headed to Texas, above the caption "open border".

Los Angeles Times

Although injured captain Elgin Baylor ended his career, the Lakers had a season for the ages: powered by Sharman's emphasis on tough defense and fast break offense, L.A. embarked on an unprecedented 33 game win streak, en route to a then-record 69 wins in the regular season.

Wikipedia

According to the traditional masculinity ideology, manliness is reflected through being able to take care of oneself; being tough, strong and healthy; emphasis on competition; devaluation of women; hatred of homosexuals [ 2, 20]; engaging in violent and risk taking behaviors [ 21, 22]; and adopting poor help-seeking behaviors [ 16- 18].

BMC Public Health

The State Department, on the other hand, argued that an immediate review of hostage cases and greater emphasis on tougher, more flexible efforts to bring hostage takers to justice would ultimately save lives and deter kidnappings.

The New York Times

Despite Walker's emphasis on tougher defense and an up-tempo style, the Liberty won that game in Washington, 78-64, aNew Yorkork's players admitted they felt better without Darsch there.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Romney's emphasis on getting tough with China is winning him attention from workers, and former workers, in industries turned upside down by global competition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough emphasis" when you want to convey a sense of forceful importance or strictness in the application of a principle or idea. For instance, "The new regulations place a "tough emphasis" on environmental compliance."

Common error

Avoid using "tough emphasis" in highly formal or academic writing where more neutral terms like "strong focus" or "significant stress" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough emphasis" functions as a qualifier to the general concept of emphasis. "Tough" here acts as an adjective, modifying "emphasis" to indicate a strong or rigorous application of that emphasis. Ludwig AI suggests it might not be very common, but understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough emphasis" describes a strong and rigorous focus on something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically acceptable and understandable, however not very common. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of forcefulness or strictness. While grammatically sound, consider using alternatives like "strong focus", "heavy stress", or "marked accentuation" for greater clarity and impact, especially in formal writing. Remember that the phrase "tough emphasis" works best when stressing the unwavering commitment to something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong focus

Replaces "emphasis" with "focus", suggesting a concentrated attention rather than a forceful assertion.

heavy stress

Substitutes "emphasis" with "stress", indicating a significant degree of importance placed on something.

marked accentuation

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a noticeable highlighting of something.

serious attention

Highlights the importance of giving careful and thorough consideration.

rigorous application

Implies a strict and thorough implementation or enforcement.

firm insistence

Conveys a resolute and unwavering assertion of something's importance.

pronounced highlighting

Suggests a clear and distinct making prominent of something.

heightened priority

Indicates a greater level of importance assigned to something compared to others.

increased weight

Implies giving more consideration or influence to something.

determined push

Suggests a focused and resolute effort to promote or achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough emphasis" to indicate a strong or rigorous focus on something. For example: "The coach placed a "tough emphasis" on defensive drills during training."

What's a good alternative to "tough emphasis"?

Alternatives include "strong focus", "heavy stress", or "marked accentuation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tough emphasis" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tough emphasis" is grammatically acceptable, although it's not a very common phrase. It's understandable and conveys a specific meaning, but other options might be preferred for clarity and formality.

In what kind of situations should I use "tough emphasis"?

"Tough emphasis" is suitable when you want to highlight the rigorous or strict nature of the emphasis being placed on something, often in contexts involving rules, discipline, or high standards.