Grammar fix

tough competition

strong competition

When there are many people or groups trying hard to win or succeed, making it difficult to stand out or achieve your goal.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

There is tough competition for jobs in the city, so you need to have good qualifications.daily life
In my country, there is tough competition among students to get into the best universities, so many people study very hard.IELTS speaking

Pattern: tough competition (for/in/between)

WrongThere was a tough competition for the place.

RightThere was tough competition for the place.

'Competition' (rivalry) is uncountable here — no 'a'.

Patterntough competition (for/in/between)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The candidates faced exceptionally formidable rivalry.

Natural There was really tough competition for the job.

'Tough competition' is the natural collocation; 'formidable rivalry' is bookish.

Words that usually travel with it.

tough competition + for
for the jobface tough competitionfrom rivalsin the market

‘Tough competition’ is stronger than just ‘competition’ and means it is especially hard to succeed.