tough questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'tough questions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there are difficult questions or topics that need to be addressed. For example, "The teacher asked us some really tough questions during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are tough questions.

The Guardian - Sport

Fielded the tough questions.

The New York Times - Tech

● Ask tough questions.

The Washington Post

"He ducks tough questions.

The New York Times

They answered tough questions.

The Washington Post

Yet they asked tough questions.

The New York Times

I ask the tough questions.

The Washington Post

I've asked myself tough questions.

The Guardian

They'll ask her tough questions.

The Guardian - Business

There will be tough questions".

The New York Times

But some tough questions linger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough questions" when you want to convey the idea that the questions are not easy to answer and require careful consideration or in-depth knowledge. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from academic discussions to political interviews.

Common error

Avoid using "tough questions" in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "difficult questions" or "hard questions" might be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough questions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tough" modifies the noun "questions". It describes the quality of the questions being challenging or difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough questions" is a common and versatile way to describe inquiries that are challenging or complex. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academic settings. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for situations where the difficulty of the questions is noteworthy. When a less formal tone is desired, alternatives like "difficult questions" or "hard questions" may be more appropriate. Using "tough questions" effectively involves understanding the context and choosing the most fitting expression to convey the level of challenge or complexity involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult questions

Substitutes "tough" with "difficult", a direct synonym, making it a straightforward alternative.

hard questions

Uses "hard" as a synonym for "tough", indicating the difficulty level.

serious questions

Highlights the gravity and importance of the questions.

challenging inquiries

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" to emphasize the difficulty of the questions, while keeping "inquiries" a synonym for "questions".

demanding questions

Uses "demanding" to stress the rigor and effort required to answer the questions.

critical questions

Emphasizes the importance and significance of the questions being asked.

probing questions

Replaces "tough" with "probing" to highlight the in-depth and investigative nature of the questions.

complex questions

Focuses on the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the questions, using "complex" instead of "tough".

incisive questions

Highlights the sharpness and penetrating quality of the questions.

thorny issues

Shifts the focus slightly from questions to the underlying issues, using a more metaphorical term.

FAQs

What does "tough questions" mean?

The phrase "tough questions" refers to questions that are difficult to answer, either because they require deep thought, specific knowledge, or are potentially controversial. It suggests that the questions are challenging and not easily addressed.

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

You can use "tough questions" in a sentence like this: "The interviewer asked the candidate some "tough questions" about their past performance." or "The committee needs to ask some "tough questions" to get to the bottom of the issue."

What are some alternatives to "tough questions"?

Some alternatives to "tough questions" include "difficult questions", "challenging inquiries", "probing questions", or "demanding questions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tough questions"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "tough questions" in situations where the questions being asked are genuinely challenging and require serious thought. This can include formal interviews, academic discussions, or political debates. Avoid using it in casual or informal settings where simpler language would suffice.