tougher than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tougher than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare the toughness or difficulty of one thing to another. Example: "This challenge is tougher than I expected, but I'm determined to overcome it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He's tougher than that.

The New York Times - Sports

Vines tougher than wrists,.

The New Yorker

"She's tougher than she looks".

The New York Times - Sports

Three is tougher than two.

The New York Times - Sports

Prefer something tougher than walking?

The New York Times

They feel tougher than Texas.

The New York Times

He's tougher than people imagine.

Independent

I'm tougher than I look.

The New York Times

Tougher than he thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Somebody tougher than Arafat.

The New York Times

"You're tougher than that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tougher than" in comparative sentences, ensure the items being compared are logically parallel. For instance, "Running a marathon is tougher than a sprint" is clear, but "Running a marathon is tougher than I thought" requires careful context.

Common error

Avoid using "tougher than" when a simple adjective is sufficient. Saying "This metal is tougher than" without specifying what it is tougher than leaves the comparison incomplete and weakens the statement.

Linguistic Context

"Tougher than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as having a greater degree of toughness relative to something else. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and frequent usage of this phrase. For example, "He's tougher than people imagine."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tougher than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase used to emphasize strength, resilience, or difficulty. Ludwig AI shows that it appears most frequently in news and media, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad range of contexts. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison is made and consider alternative phrases like "more resilient than" or ""more challenging than"" to fine-tune your meaning. Avoid using the phrase without completing the comparison by specifying what is being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more resilient than

Emphasizes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, focusing on resilience rather than pure strength.

more robust than

Highlights the capacity to withstand or overcome adverse conditions, suggesting a sturdier build or constitution.

more durable than

Focuses on the ability to endure over a long period, implying greater longevity and resistance to wear.

more challenging than

Shifts the emphasis to difficulty, suggesting a higher degree of complexity or adversity.

more rigorous than

Indicates a stricter or more demanding nature, highlighting the intensity of the experience or requirement.

stronger than

A more direct comparison of physical or metaphorical strength, lacking some of the nuances of "tougher than".

more resilient compared to

Adds explicit contrast, specifying what the subject is being compared against in terms of resilience.

hardier than

Emphasizes the ability to survive in unfavorable conditions, especially in terms of health and vitality.

more resistant than

Highlights the capacity to withstand external forces or influences, focusing on the ability to oppose damage or change.

more formidable than

Suggests a quality that inspires fear or respect due to impressive size, power, or ability, rather than mere toughness.

FAQs

How can I use "tougher than" in a sentence?

Use "tougher than" to compare the relative difficulty, strength, or resilience of two subjects. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest is "more challenging than" climbing a local hill."

What are some alternatives to saying "tougher than"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more resilient than", "more robust than", "more durable than", or ""more challenging than"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "tougher than what" or "tougher than that"?

While "tougher than that" is grammatically correct and commonly used, "tougher than what" is generally avoided in formal writing. A complete comparison, specifying what something is tougher than, is always preferable for clarity. For example: "This exam was "more difficult than" the last one."

Which is more accurate: "tougher than expected" or "tougher than anticipated"?

Both "tougher than expected" and "tougher than anticipated" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "expected" implies a general anticipation, while "anticipated" suggests a more deliberate or calculated expectation. "The hike was "harder than" expected."