tough for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express difficulty or challenges faced by someone in a particular situation. Example: "It can be tough for students to balance their studies and part-time jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's tough for me".

The New York Times

"That's tough for anybody".

The New York Times - Arts

Tough for everyone.

The New York Times

"It's tough for everybody.

The New York Times - Sports

It's tough for me sometimes.

The New York Times

This was tough for me.

The New York Times

"It was tough for us.

Independent

It is tough for women".

Independent

That was tough for me.

The New York Times

TIMES are tough for governors.

The Economist

"They are tough for governing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough for" to clearly express that a situation presents difficulties or challenges for a specific person or group. For example, "The new regulations are proving to be tough for small businesses."

Common error

While "tough for" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "demanding for" or "challenging for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough for" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that a situation or experience is difficult or challenging for the specified subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

29%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough for" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express that someone or something faces difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like ""difficult for"" and "hard for" exist, "tough for" maintains its relevance and effectiveness in conveying empathy and acknowledging challenges. Remember to be mindful of the tone in formal contexts and choose the most precise phrasing for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult for

Direct synonym, replacing "tough" with "difficult" to convey the same meaning.

hard for

Another direct synonym, using "hard" instead of "tough" to express difficulty.

challenging for

Emphasizes the demanding or testing nature of a situation.

rough on

Implies a harsh or unpleasant experience.

demanding for

Highlights the high requirements or expectations imposed.

strenuous for

Focuses on the effort or energy required.

trying for

Indicates a testing or irritating experience.

an ordeal for

Suggests a painful or prolonged experience.

a struggle for

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved.

taxing on

Emphasizes the depleting or burdensome effect.

FAQs

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

Use "tough for" to describe a situation or task that presents significant difficulty or hardship for someone. For example, "The transition to online learning has been "difficult for" many students."

What are some alternatives to "tough for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hard for", "challenging for", or ""difficult for"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tough for"?

Yes, "tough for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It's a standard way to express that something is difficult or presents challenges for someone.

When is it more appropriate to use "difficult for" instead of "tough for"?

"Difficult for" and "tough for" are often interchangeable, but "difficult for" may be preferred in more formal contexts. "Tough for" can sometimes sound more informal or colloquial.