tough structure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough structure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is difficult to penetrate or break down, such as a difficult problem or political system. For example, you could say, "This particular math problem has a tough structure that will be difficult to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Additionally, the PLL is a very tough structure that seldom ruptures.

Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery

Injecting mice with a molecule that melts the tough structure around the tumor allowed a standard chemotherapy drug to better penetrate and destroy cancer cells.

Science Magazine

This makes the inter-filament interactions tight, and turns the egg envelope into a hard and tough structure.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Polysaccharides and glycoproteins are the main components of the C. albicans cell wall, which is a tough structure that protects the cell from changes in the external environment [2].

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Dobbs gives them straight talk about the tough, structured life at the Naval Academy.

The New York Times - Sports

For instance, the early fossil record of grasses is poor, and the tough structures of grass stems have been postulated to have evolved in response to their being eaten by grazing mammals.

The New York Times

When there are no more knots to untie, the proteins reconfigure into tough structures called beta-sheet nanocrystals.

Science Magazine

We report a versatile method to achieve strong and tough structured composites by the use of ABC block terpolymers.

Polymer

The presented integrative analysis shows that CNTF based composites are an excellent potential choice for strong and tough structures, as well as for bio-engineering.

Composites Science and Technology

But baked under a source of UV light, the tails on the particles were made to interlink with one another, forming a far tougher structure within and across the layers.

BBC

A Mayrinax tough construction is structured like that in (75), in which the DP ruas is not base-generated as the internal argument of the embedded verb talan, but instead merges as the external argument of the first verb 'ayhung.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts such as systems or organizations, use "tough structure" to convey resilience and resistance to external pressures. For example: "The company implemented a tough structure to withstand market volatility."

Common error

Avoid using "tough structure" when describing interpersonal relationships or emotional situations. The phrase implies rigidity and a lack of flexibility, which can be inappropriate and insensitive in these contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough structure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "structure". It describes a characteristic or quality of the structure, indicating its resilience or resistance to external forces. Ludwig confirms this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough structure" describes something robust and resilient, commonly appearing in scientific and news-related contexts. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct but relatively rare. Alternative phrases like "stiff structure" or "robust construction" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's best practice to use it when emphasizing strength, but avoid it in emotionally sensitive contexts. The authoritative sources like The New York Times and Science Magazine show its applicability across different domains requiring precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stiff structure

This alternative emphasizes rigidity and resistance to bending.

strong framework

This alternative highlights the capability to bear heavy loads.

rigid framework

This phrase highlights the inflexibility and unyielding nature of the structure.

robust construction

This focuses on the strength and durability of the building or object.

solid design

This alternative highlights reliability and stability.

resilient design

This alternative emphasizes the ability to recover from stress or damage.

durable architecture

This emphasizes longevity and resistance to wear and tear in architectural contexts.

impenetrable defense

This alternative emphasizes the inability to be breached.

unyielding system

This emphasizes resistance to pressure or change.

fortified entity

This highlights the strengthening and protection of the entity.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough structure" to describe something resilient or difficult to break. For example: "The building's design features a tough structure to withstand earthquakes."

What are some alternatives to using "tough structure"?

Alternatives include "stiff structure", "rigid framework", or "robust construction", depending on the specific context.

Is "tough structure" formal or informal language?

"Tough structure" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in technical or descriptive writing, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

What does "tough structure" imply?

"Tough structure" implies that something is strong, durable, and resistant to damage or change. It suggests a resilient and unyielding quality.