tough requests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough requests" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe demands or asks that are difficult to fulfill or require significant effort. Example: "I understand that these are tough requests, but we need to meet our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The repeated references to "ambitious targets" make me think you're quite likely to be facing some tough requests, so this is a role probably best suited to the sort of person who would say, "climbing Everest isn't that hard really.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Finding out if your home cable box is an open resolver, for instance, requires you to call your cable company and tell them that you do not want to be running an open resolver — a tough request when most of the world's population does not even know what an open resolver is.

The New York Times - Tech

Additional applicants would visit Fairchild for an in-person interview–a tough request since many applicants live out of state and, if hired, would make only $8.53 an hour.

Forbes

It's a tough request to stay ahead of.

Huffington Post

The prosecutor's office has brought tough charges, requesting a 10-year sentence for causing grievous bodily harm, her lawyer said on television on Friday.

The New York Times

If you think you are taking on a tough load, request a prep period if your school allows it.

WikiHow

And, though such dynamic markets provide greater profit potential, they also conceal greater risks, since competition is tougher and request and demand may vary significantly in the quest for maximum benefit.

Expert Systems with Applications

The Department for Education (DfE) said schools were expected to take a "tough line" on requests to miss lessons.

BBC

A DfE spokeswoman said schools were expected to take a "tough line" on requests to miss lessons, as a few days off could leave youngsters struggling to catch up.

BBC

In total, the Choson Exchange WIB program has had more than 200 participants, about 65% of whom were female (we thought that asking for exclusively women would have been tough, so we requested a percentage instead).

The Guardian

The calls heard in those commercials were made by actors or Mullen employees posing as customers, asking tough questions or making unusual requests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough requests", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the requests and why they are considered difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "tough requests" when the demands are merely inconvenient, not genuinely challenging or difficult to fulfill. Choose a milder term like "specific requests" or "unusual requests" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough requests" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "requests". It describes the quality of the requests, indicating that they are difficult to fulfill or challenging to meet. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough requests" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe demanding or challenging asks. Ludwig AI supports its usability in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, its use is most prevalent in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly explains the difficulty of the requests and who is making them. If a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "arduous requirements" or "stringent demands".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging demands

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" and "requests" with "demands", emphasizing the difficulty.

demanding requests

Uses "demanding" to emphasize the high expectations associated with the requests.

difficult asks

Substitutes "tough" with "difficult" and "requests" with the more informal "asks".

arduous requirements

Uses "arduous" to highlight the effort required and "requirements" to suggest a formal obligation.

stringent demands

Emphasizes the strictness of the requests using "stringent".

exacting requirements

Focuses on the precision and high standards implied by the requests using "exacting".

complex requirements

Highlights the intricate and complicated nature of the requirements.

onerous tasks

Shifts the focus to the burdensome nature of the tasks implied by the requests.

formidable challenges

Replaces the idea of requests with the concept of "formidable challenges", emphasizing the difficulty in achieving them.

ambitious goals

Frames the requests as "ambitious goals", focusing on the high level of aspiration.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough requests" to describe demands that are difficult to meet, such as "The team faced "tough requests" from the client regarding the project's timeline".

What are some alternatives to "tough requests"?

Alternatives include "challenging demands", "difficult asks", or "demanding requests", depending on the specific context.

What makes a request "tough"?

A request is "tough" when it requires significant effort, resources, or skill to fulfill. It may also be tough if it is unpopular or conflicts with other priorities.

Is it appropriate to use "tough requests" in formal writing?

Yes, "tough requests" is appropriate in formal writing, but consider using a more formal alternative like "arduous requirements" or "stringent demands" for added precision.