tough studies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough studies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to academic or research work that is challenging or difficult. Example: "Many students find that tough studies require a significant amount of time and dedication to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After all, luck plays a huge role (is there really a good explanation for the hula-hoop frenzy of the fifties?), and, more fundamentally, serial innovation is just tough: studies suggest that most new products fail.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was a tough study to do, and I'm thrilled it came out this way".

The New York Times - Health

One way to help you get through a tough study session is to have something to look forward to when it's over.

WikiHow

Her first few years in the city were tough, with studies at Juilliard and duties as a live-in caretaker for an elderly woman.

The New York Times - Arts

"A lot of people didn't believe this process could happen probably because it's so tough to study," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Investigating metastasis seems more straightforward than investigating non-metastasis; clinically speaking, it's tough to study those who haven't fallen ill.

The New Yorker

The bill would require tougher preliminary studies of the impact of spills, and lets states block new drilling up to 75 miles off their coast.

The Economist

John Weeks, the headteacher, puts the school's success down to its partnerships with eight independent schools – including Eton – and HSBC, which lends resources and support, and to a local demand for tough, academic study.

The Guardian

Three years after the president of Harvard, Lawrence H. Summers, got into trouble for questioning women's "intrinsic aptitude" for science and engineering — and 16 years after the talking Barbie doll proclaimed that "math class is tough" — a study paid for by the National Science Foundation has found that girls perform as well as boys on standardized math tests.

The New York Times

Yet Sinopoli's surprising affinity with the natural flow of the bel canto line usually triumphed, even at some dangerously slow speeds; his Madame Butterfly, with Mirella Freni in the title role, exposes the tough psychological study embedded in a lush musical idiom.

The Guardian

The third British film-maker in the official selection is Andrew Hulme, the former editor on movies such as Control and The American, who is making a directorial debut in the Un Certain Regard lineup with Snow in Paradise, a tough character study about violence and religion.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough studies" to refer to academic pursuits that require significant effort and dedication, effectively conveying the demanding nature of the coursework.

Common error

Don't use "tough studies" as a blanket term for all academic work. Reserve it for situations where the studies are genuinely challenging and demanding, to avoid exaggerating the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough studies" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "tough" modifies the noun "studies". It describes the nature or quality of the studies being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough studies" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe demanding academic or research endeavors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It commonly appears in news, science, and wiki contexts, conveying the rigor and difficulty associated with specific areas of study. While generally neutral to formal, it's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "challenging coursework" or "rigorous academic pursuits" can provide nuanced options depending on the specific context. Remember to clearly define the subject when discussing "tough studies" to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult academic work

Focuses on the challenging nature of academic tasks.

challenging coursework

Highlights the demanding aspect of the study material.

rigorous academic pursuits

Emphasizes the strict and thorough nature of academic endeavors.

demanding scholastic efforts

Stresses the high level of effort required for academic success.

arduous scholarly activities

Implies a strenuous and difficult involvement in academic work.

strenuous educational undertakings

Highlights the taxing nature of educational tasks.

formidable academic challenges

Focuses on the intimidating and difficult nature of academic obstacles.

intense intellectual labor

Highlights the demanding and concentrated mental effort involved.

complex academic disciplines

Emphasizes the intricate and complicated nature of the subject matter.

taxing educational endeavors

Implies that the educational activities are burdensome and demanding.

FAQs

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

You can say, "Many students find that "tough studies" require a significant amount of time and dedication to succeed."

What is a good alternative to "tough studies"?

Alternatives include "challenging coursework", "rigorous academic pursuits", or "difficult academic work", depending on the context.

Are "tough studies" and "hard studies" interchangeable?

While both convey difficulty, ""tough studies"" often implies a demanding and rigorous nature, whereas "hard studies" might simply refer to studies that require a lot of effort or memorization.

When should I use "tough studies" instead of "difficult studies"?

Use ""tough studies"" when you want to emphasize the rigorous, demanding, and challenging aspects of the academic work. "Difficult studies" is a more general term for any study that requires effort.