tough to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to understand or grasp mentally. Example: "The scientific concepts presented in the lecture were tough to comprehend for many students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And if you're finding this Parakeelia yarn a little tough to comprehend, I don't blame you.

The Guardian

This work may be tough to comprehend, but as played here, it made you giddy with amazement.

The New York Times - Arts

In these social media-friendly days, when anything with a Facebook page gets called a phenomenon, it may be tough to comprehend just how much cultural impact Twin Peaks had when it first hit the airwaves back in 1990.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the bulk of support she inherits from her husband comes squarely from Argentina's lower classes, many of whom see Mrs. Kirchner as aloof and tough to comprehend in speeches that often resemble university lectures.

The New York Times

It's almost tough to comprehend all the talent that has made its way through the halls of "The Daily Show". .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was hard to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Outsiders found it hard to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Figures like that are hard to comprehend.

The Guardian - Arts

Today that reaction is hard to comprehend.

The New York Times

The mood is hard to comprehend unless you live here.

The Guardian

"This volume is hard to comprehend," Cook said.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough to comprehend" when you want to convey that something requires significant effort to understand, but is not necessarily impossible to grasp. It's suitable for situations where complexity or unfamiliarity are factors.

Common error

While acceptable, "tough to comprehend" can sound slightly informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise synonyms like "difficult to understand", "challenging to grasp", or "complex to understand" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough to comprehend" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (something). It describes the characteristic of being difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, indicating that something is difficult to understand. While Ludwig identifies it as correct, it's worth noting its frequency is uncommon; it is commonly used in contexts like news and media. When writing, remember that while acceptable in many situations, it could be replaced by alternatives like "difficult to understand" or challenging to grasp for a more formal tone. Be mindful to consider the context and audience to select the most fitting phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to understand

Replaces "tough" with "difficult", a more formal synonym.

hard to grasp

Uses "hard" and "grasp" to convey a similar meaning of difficulty in understanding.

challenging to comprehend

Employs "challenging" to suggest a demanding level of understanding required.

not easy to understand

Uses a negative construction to express the difficulty in understanding.

beyond one's comprehension

Indicates that something is outside the limits of someone's ability to understand.

difficult to fathom

Replaces "comprehend" with "fathom", implying a deeper level of understanding is needed.

abstruse and difficult to grasp

Adds "abstruse" to emphasize the obscurity and difficulty in understanding.

complex to understand

Uses "complex" to indicate that something is intricately difficult to understand.

requires considerable thought to understand

Emphasizes the mental effort required to achieve understanding.

impenetrable to understanding

Suggests that something is impossible to understand.

FAQs

What does "tough to comprehend" mean?

The phrase "tough to comprehend" means that something is "difficult to understand" or grasp mentally. It implies that some effort is needed to fully understand it.

How can I use "tough to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "tough to comprehend" to describe complex topics or ideas. For example: "The professor's explanation of quantum physics was "tough to understand" for many students".

Are there more formal alternatives to "tough to comprehend"?

Yes, in more formal writing, you could use phrases like ""difficult to understand"", "challenging to grasp", or "complex to understand".

Is "tough to comprehend" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tough to comprehend" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It follows standard grammatical rules and is found in various reliable sources.