Cool MateTough vs We're very strict about candy
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Tough
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
We're very strict about candy
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Tough
| Tough | We're very strict about candy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʌf/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʌf/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //stɹɪkt//🇺🇸 //strɪkt// |
| Meaning | Hard or difficult to deal with | We have firm rules about candy. |
| Example | The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place. | We're very strict about candy in our house to encourage healthy eating. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, be, become, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, with, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very | strict rules, strict teacher, strict diet, strict guidelines, strict parents |
| Antonyms | easy, soft, gentle | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'tough' as a noun — 'He is a tough' should be 'He is tough'., Confusing 'tough' with 'though' in casual speech., Overusing 'tough' in contexts where 'difficult' is more suitable. | Confusing 'strict' with 'strictly' (adverb form), Using 'strict' when 'lenient' or 'flexible' is more appropriate, Overusing 'strict' in casual conversations |
| Usage notes | Use 'tough' to describe something that is difficult, whether it's a situation or a person’s character. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but may sound too informal in very serious discussions. | Use 'strict' in contexts where rules or discipline are emphasized. Avoid informal contexts where relaxed rules are implied. |
Frequently asked questions: Tough vs We're very strict about candy
What's the difference between Tough and We're very strict about candy?
Tough: Hard or difficult to deal with We're very strict about candy: We have firm rules about candy.
Which is more common: Tough and We're very strict about candy?
Tough is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Tough: The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place. We're very strict about candy: We're very strict about candy in our house to encourage healthy eating.
Can I use Tough and We're very strict about candy interchangeably?
Not always. Tough and We're very strict about candy are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.