tough to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough to learn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult or challenging to understand or master. Example: "Many students find calculus to be tough to learn, especially if they haven't had a strong foundation in algebra."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But forgetting makes it tough to learn.

The Guardian

The slippage in memory may make it tough to learn a new language.

The New York Times

But it is tough to learn a curveball when the high school season is only 15 games long.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's tough to learn such a lesson," said Ms. Watson Coleman, who has one other son, as her eyes filled with tears.

The New York Times

Most choral auditions require a least a smattering of sight-singing, and it is tough to learn complex choral parts without it.

The New York Times

"They've seen us win multiple championships here, playing an offense that was tough to learn, that was a sequence of options that weren't set plays that took five guys being on the same page of working together.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's significantly tougher to learn as a result.

The New York Times - Tech

As it became tougher to learn much of any substance from programs like "Crossfire" on CNN, now defunct, "The West Wing" seemed to delve deeper into real issues like health care and education, as exemplified by the raw, one-hour live debate last fall between Matt Santos and Arnold Vinick.

The New York Times - Arts

The startup's data-driven approach could make it quick to expand to more languages and identify what's toughest to learn.

TechCrunch

It is a tough lesson to learn.

The New York Times

This was a tough one to learn.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough to learn" when emphasizing the effort and persistence required to acquire a new skill or knowledge. For instance, when discussing the challenges of learning a new language or mastering a complex software.

Common error

Avoid using "tough to learn" when the subject is simply unpleasant or boring, rather than genuinely difficult. "Tough" implies a significant challenge, not just a lack of interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough to learn" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (the subject of learning). It describes the difficulty associated with acquiring a particular skill or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms this, with multiple examples showing its descriptive usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough to learn" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that presents a significant challenge in learning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is adaptable to various contexts, most frequently appearing in news and media, as well as academic settings. While alternatives like "difficult to grasp" or "challenging to master" exist, "tough to learn" effectively conveys the need for persistence and effort in acquiring new knowledge or skills. When using the phrase, be mindful of its connotation of genuine difficulty, and avoid applying it to simply unpleasant or boring subjects. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively leverage "tough to learn" to add clarity and impact to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the challenge in understanding something new.

challenging to master

Highlights the effort needed to become proficient.

hard to pick up

Focuses on the effort to acquire a new skill.

not easy to learn

A simpler way of expressing the difficulty.

requires dedication to learn

Highlights the commitment required.

demanding to learn

Focuses on the high effort and focus required.

a steep learning curve

Uses a metaphor to describe the difficulty.

complicated to understand

Focuses on the complexity of the subject matter.

presents learning obstacles

Highlights the barriers to learning.

formidable to learn

Highlights a sense of awe and challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough to learn" to describe something that requires significant effort and persistence to understand or master. Example: "Quantum physics can be very "difficult to grasp" and is "tough to learn"".

What are some alternatives to "tough to learn"?

Alternatives include "challenging to master", "hard to pick up", or "not easy to learn" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "difficult to learn" instead of "tough to learn"?

"Difficult to learn" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "tough to learn". The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, with "tough" implying a more resilient approach is needed.

Which is correct, "tough to learn" or "tough learning"?

"Tough to learn" is the correct and more common phrasing when you want to express that something is difficult to acquire knowledge about. "Tough learning" could be used in limited contexts to describe a difficult learning experience, but it is far less frequent.