tough to replicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough to replicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to duplicate or reproduce, often in contexts like technology, art, or unique experiences. Example: "The craftsmanship of this handmade furniture is so exceptional that it is tough to replicate in mass production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Film

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Some of those results have been tough to replicate.

The New York Times

That puts Beijing in striking range of achieving its 11.4% target by 2015, though the big gains in 2012 will be tough to replicate this year.

The New York Times

Paranormal Activity, its stripped-back aesthetics purging the excesses of the mid-noughties torture-porn cycle, arrived at the right time and is going to be tough to replicate.

The Guardian - Film

Or that the team's major-league-best.290 average with runners in scoring position might be tough to replicate, unless the Angels found a way to assemble a roster of players imbued with clutch-hitter pixie dust.

The New York Times - Sports

Riley and Hedlund and Stewart make a mythical threesome (sometimes in every sense), but the yearning for newness that gave the book its tone, that made it the attention-deficit bible for generations of rootless young men everywhere, is predictably tough to replicate on screen.

The Guardian - Film

Even beyond software/hardware, though, the competition already has a lead in a way thats historically tough to replicate: its community.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think it would be hard to replicate the marshmallow task now, if only because it's gotten much tougher to feed hundreds of preschoolers sugary snacks in the name of science.

The New Yorker

"It's hard to replicate".

The New York Times

And that advantage is hard to replicate.

The New York Times

It is hard to replicate, however.

The Economist

That may be hard to replicate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough to replicate" to describe unique qualities, skills, or circumstances that are difficult for others to reproduce. This shows insight and appreciation for the original.

Common error

Avoid using "tough to replicate" for situations where the difficulty is simply due to effort or resources. Reserve it for scenarios where there's a unique, hard-to-duplicate factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough to replicate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, often describing a characteristic or process. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correctly used. It highlights the difficulty in duplicating or reproducing something, either physically or conceptually.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Tech

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Sports

10%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough to replicate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the difficulty of duplicating or reproducing something. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for many contexts. Its strength lies in highlighting unique qualities or circumstances that present barriers to imitation, as noted in the provided examples from news, tech, and film. Alternatives include "difficult to duplicate" and "hard to reproduce". When using the phrase, focus on specifying what makes the original challenging to imitate to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to duplicate

Replaces "tough" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge in copying something.

hard to reproduce

Substitutes "tough" with "hard" and "replicate" with "reproduce", focusing on the difficulty in recreating something.

challenging to imitate

Uses "challenging" instead of "tough" and "imitate" instead of "replicate", highlighting the demanding nature of copying something.

not easily duplicated

Emphasizes the lack of ease in duplication, implying a significant degree of difficulty.

unlikely to be reproduced

Focuses on the low probability of something being successfully recreated.

difficult to achieve again

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of repeating a past success or achievement.

hard to come by again

Highlights the rarity and difficulty of finding or achieving something similar in the future.

a high bar to clear

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate a difficult standard to meet or surpass.

a tough act to follow

Implies that a previous performance or achievement sets a very high standard that is difficult to match.

unmatched in its uniqueness

Highlights the singular nature of something, making it inherently difficult to replicate.

FAQs

What does "tough to replicate" mean?

The phrase "tough to replicate" means something is difficult to duplicate or reproduce due to unique qualities, skills, or circumstances.

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

You can use "tough to replicate" to describe processes, achievements, or products that have unique aspects making them hard to duplicate. For instance, "The artistry in this handmade piece is "difficult to duplicate"".

What are some alternatives to "tough to replicate"?

Alternatives include "difficult to duplicate", "hard to reproduce", or "challenging to imitate" depending on the context.

Is "tough to replicate" the same as "hard to replicate"?

Yes, "tough to replicate" and "hard to replicate" are largely interchangeable. Both phrases indicate a significant degree of difficulty in reproducing something. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.