tough information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information that is difficult to understand, process, or deal with, often due to its complexity or sensitivity. Example: "The report contained tough information that required careful consideration before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The government has been regularly suing the independent news media under a tough information law passed in October 1998 and has also restricted newsprint to major independent publications, particularly Blic, a popular tabloid whose circulation has been reduced by nearly half.

The New York Times

The increasing ability to analyze fetal DNA from maternal blood should lead to better prenatal diagnoses of genetic disease--and confront future parents with tough information and choices.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said it would consider imposing volume limits on trading of energy futures by purely financial investors and that it already has adopted tougher information requirements aimed at identifying the role of hedge funds and traders who swap contracts outside of regulated exchanges like the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The New York Times

While 38% prefer a loosening of REACH for nanomaterials, 31% called for tougher information requirements.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Also in July 2009, the CFTC announced it was considering volume limits on energy futures by financial/proprietary traders and tougher information requirements.

Huffington Post

As well that month, the CFTC had announced that it was considering volume limits on energy futures by financial/proprietary traders and tougher information requirements.

Huffington Post

"People are having a tough time conveying information to doctors, and remembering information.

TechCrunch

The study found that only three hospitals provided a written free-care policy on request and that non-English speakers had a tough time getting information.

The New York Times

As David Craig, chief strategy officer of Thomson Reuters said at the end of his talk: "The world might be a tough place, but information can make it better".

The Guardian

(One database manager said that it had been tough getting design information from funeral directors because many of them are still leery of the Internet).

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Hughes said the new guidelines, which take effect later this month, impose tough protections on information gathered, for example "on a community page for prostate cancer sufferers" because anyone visiting such a page could be assumed to have the disease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough information", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Tough" can imply difficulty in understanding, emotional impact, or the need for careful handling. Choose synonyms if a more precise meaning is required.

Common error

Avoid using "tough information" as a catch-all phrase. If the information is complex, say "complex information". If it's emotionally challenging, say "sensitive information". Specificity improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough information" functions as a noun phrase where "tough" modifies the noun "information". It describes the nature or quality of the information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating it's a valid and understandable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough information" is a valid and understandable way to describe information that is difficult to understand, process, or accept. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, its usage appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media, scientific, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether a more specific descriptor, like "complex information" or "sensitive information", would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult information

Replaces "tough" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the challenging nature of the information.

challenging information

Similar to "difficult", but implies that the information requires effort to understand or handle.

complicated information

Highlights the intricate and potentially confusing nature of the information.

complex information

Focuses on the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the information.

demanding information

Highlights the high level of attention and cognitive resources required to process the information.

sensitive information

Shifts the focus to the potentially delicate or problematic nature of the information.

formidable information

Emphasizes the scale of knowledge required to deal with the information.

unpleasant information

Conveys that the information is difficult to accept or deal with on an emotional level.

uncomfortable information

Similar to unpleasant, but suggests that the information causes unease or awkwardness.

severe information

Stresses that the information is grave or critical in nature.

FAQs

What does "tough information" mean?

The phrase "tough information" refers to information that is difficult to understand, process, or accept, often due to its complexity, sensitivity, or emotional impact. It suggests that the information requires careful consideration and may be challenging to deal with.

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

You can use "tough information" to describe a variety of situations, such as "The doctor had to deliver some "tough information" to the patient" or "The report contained "tough information" about the company's financial situation".

What can I say instead of "tough information"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult information", "challenging information", or "sensitive information" depending on the context.

Is "tough information" formal or informal?

"Tough information" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, alternatives like "complex information" or "demanding information" might be preferred.