tough issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough issue" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a difficult or challenging problem or topic. Example: "The government is currently grappling with how to address the tough issue of immigration reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And that's a tough issue.

The New York Times

Frankly, it's a tough issue.

The New York Times

So that's a really tough issue.

The Washington Post

"It's a tough issue," Mr. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

"They've made real progress on a tough issue.

The New York Times

It is an especially tough issue in the legal profession.

The New York Times

That's what makes this such a tough issue.

The New York Times

So it could be a tough issue for us".

The Guardian

"It's a tough issue," she said, sounding a tad defensive.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This is a tough issue for us," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is a tough issue for PAs, NPs, and MDs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough issue", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the issue difficult or challenging. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tough issue" as a generic placeholder. Instead, specify the nature of the challenge (e.g., "the tough issue of balancing economic growth with environmental protection") to enhance the sentence's informative value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "issue". It's used to describe a problem or situation that is difficult or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough issue" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a challenging or difficult problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and business communications. While generally neutral in tone, writers should aim for specificity, detailing the exact nature of the difficulty rather than relying on "tough issue" as a vague descriptor. Semantically similar alternatives include "difficult problem", "challenging situation", and "complex matter", each offering slightly different nuances. By understanding the function, purpose, and register of "tough issue", writers can effectively employ it to convey the complexities of a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult problem

Replaces the adjective "tough" with "difficult" and the noun "issue" with "problem", maintaining the core meaning of a challenging matter.

challenging situation

Substitutes "tough" with "challenging" and "issue" with "situation", focusing on the demanding nature of the circumstances.

complex matter

Emphasizes the intricacy of the subject, using "complex" instead of "tough" and "matter" instead of "issue".

thorny question

Implies a sensitive and potentially controversial topic, replacing "tough" with "thorny" and "issue" with "question".

delicate subject

Suggests a need for careful handling, swapping "tough" with "delicate" and "issue" with "subject".

complicated challenge

Highlights the intricate and demanding aspects, using "complicated" and "challenge" as alternatives.

problematic area

Focuses on the troublesome aspects, substituting "tough" with "problematic" and "issue" with "area".

vexing question

Indicates a cause of annoyance or worry, using "vexing" instead of "tough" and "question" instead of "issue".

knotty point

Emphasizes the intricacy and difficulty in resolving the matter, replacing "tough" with "knotty" and "issue" with "point".

critical dilemma

Focuses on the importance and the difficult choice involved, swapping "tough" with "critical" and "issue" with "dilemma".

FAQs

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

Use "tough issue" to describe a problem or situation that is difficult to resolve or address. For example, "The government is grappling with the "tough issue" of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "tough issue"?

You can use alternatives such as "difficult problem", "challenging situation", or "complex matter" depending on the specific context.

Is "tough issue" formal or informal?

"Tough issue" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in highly academic or professional settings.

What makes an issue "tough"?

An issue can be considered "tough" due to its complexity, sensitivity, potential for conflict, or lack of easy solutions. Identifying the specific reasons an issue is challenging can improve clarity and focus.