tough interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough interest" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing challenging or difficult topics of interest, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The seminar covered tough interest areas like climate change and economic inequality."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But its handling of the crisis has been tough: interest rates were jerked up to punitive levels, and stability of a sort has returned within days.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

NetBank, based in Alpharetta, Ga., has struggled with mounting operating losses amid a tough interest-rate environment and lower mortgage originations.

The New York Times

The FPC has requested the power to impose tougher interest-rate tests, and will probably have it by the summer.

The Economist

Since Citigroup's balance sheet carried a huge amount of loans, it also was hit harder by a tougher interest-rate environment than were many of its rivals.

The New York Times

Atwell is perhaps best known in America; the 29-year old played Peggy Carter, the tough love interest of Steve Rogers in this summer's hit, "Captain America," and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work in the miniseries, "The Pillars of the Earth".

Huffington Post

Meeting those obligations — often guaranteed returns or payouts of 6 or 7 percent — has become tougher with interest rates low and the costs to hedge these guarantees high.

The New York Times

But Russia and China especially China, which has piled money into Iran's oil and gas industries as Western companies have withdrawn are reluctant to get tough.Self-interest is not the only reason to oppose sanctions.

The Economist

But shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said Britain needs a tougher public interest test for such takeovers: Ultimately it is for the shareholders to determine, but it is welcome the AstraZeneca board has remained resolute and sought to act in the best long-term interests of the company and its vital work in developing new life-saving drugs.

The Guardian - Business

Two, they must follow a tough one-interest-rate-fits-all monetary policy set by the European Central Bank (ECB).

Forbes

"People who thought that you were going to win the hardest public policy fight there is overnight and defeat the toughest special interest were kidding themselves," he said.

Huffington Post

In a tough market, any interest is better than no interest, and it's a cushion if things go wrong, assuming the bank doesn't go out of business or can't pay the interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using established phrases like "strong interest" or "intense interest" instead of "tough interest". This ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "tough interest" if you intend to convey a sense of genuine enthusiasm. "Tough" can imply difficulty or hardship, which clashes with the typically positive connotation of "interest". Using phrases like "strong interest" or "keen interest" will avoid this confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough interest" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "tough" modifies the noun "interest", suggesting a difficult or challenging area of focus. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not standard and could lead to confusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "tough interest" is uncommon and potentially confusing. Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard, suggesting clearer alternatives. Its infrequent appearance in news and media indicates limited broad usage. For greater clarity, consider using alternatives such as "strong interest" or "intense interest". The phrase may be suitable if aiming to convey a challenging or resilient aspect of interest, but standard alternatives are generally preferred for clarity and broader understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong interest

Replaces "tough" with "strong", emphasizing the intensity of the interest.

great interest

Indicates a high level of interest.

keen interest

Implies an enthusiastic and sharp interest.

intense interest

Uses "intense" to highlight the degree of interest.

serious interest

Suggests a deep and thoughtful interest.

considerable interest

Emphasizes the amount of interest.

marked interest

Highlights that the interest is noticeable.

deep concern

Shifts the focus from interest to a related concept of concern, indicating a serious and potentially negative interest.

robust curiosity

Combines the idea of strength with curiosity, highlighting a vigorous interest in learning or exploring.

fierce determination

Moves away from "interest" to express a strong resolve, similar to a tough interest in achieving something.

FAQs

What does "tough interest" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "tough interest" might refer to a challenging area of focus or a strong, resilient interest. However, it's better to use more common phrases for clarity.

What can I say instead of "tough interest"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "strong interest", "intense interest", or "serious interest".

Is "tough interest" grammatically correct?

Yes, it's grammatically correct as an adjective-noun combination, but it's not a common or idiomatic expression. Using clearer alternatives is advisable.

When should I use "tough interest"?

It's best to avoid "tough interest" in formal writing. If you specifically want to emphasize resilience in the face of challenge regarding an area of interest, you might use it, but more common alternatives are usually preferable.