a common struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a challenge or difficulty that many people experience together or share in their lives. Example: "In today's society, mental health issues have become a common struggle for individuals of all ages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was a common struggle for scientists in his day.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bristol's footballing divide is bridged by a common  struggle.

Independent

They were like mismatched conspirators in a common struggle.

The New York Times - Magazine

A common struggle is either to curb mining or gain a share of the proceeds.

The Economist

"We have a common enemy, a common struggle," said Mr. Dewinter.

The New York Times

Don't just respect others, offer a common struggle, since our problems today are common.

The Guardian - Opinion

He argues that current advocacy groups encourage members of the LGBT community to view themselves as stakeholders in a common struggle for political incorporation.

University of Pennsylvania

She said she liked working with people who had a "common struggle and giving them assistance to learn to love themselves".

The New York Times

With his new book, "How Rocket Learned to Read," Tad Hills ("Duck & Goose") brings a sweet but not saccharine touch to a common struggle of childhood.

The New York Times - Books

The Nobel committee said it was important to reward both an Indian Hindu and a Pakistani Muslim for joining "in a common struggle for education and against extremism".

The Guardian

Even though the demands of today's protesters are very similar across borders, they have rarely been framed in that way as a common struggle.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about shared difficulties, use "a common struggle" to highlight the shared experience and foster a sense of unity among those facing the challenge. It helps create empathy and understanding.

Common error

While "a common struggle" is widely understood, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your work sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "shared challenge" or "collective hardship" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common struggle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies a shared difficulty or challenge, emphasizing the collective nature of the experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a common struggle" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a shared difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests alternatives such as "a shared ordeal" or "a mutual challenge" for varied expression. Predominantly found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts, it serves to foster empathy and unity among those facing similar hardships. However, be mindful of overusing it in formal settings; consider alternatives to maintain writing sophistication. The phrase is a valuable tool for conveying shared difficulties, but strategic usage ensures impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared ordeal

Emphasizes the difficult or painful nature of the shared experience.

a mutual challenge

Highlights the aspect of facing a difficult task or situation together.

a collective hardship

Focuses on the suffering or difficulty endured by a group.

a joint effort against adversity

Stresses the collaborative nature of fighting against misfortune.

a united front in difficulty

Highlights the solidarity and shared purpose in facing a problem.

a collaborative battle

Focuses on the cooperative aspect of confronting a challenge.

a combined effort to overcome

Emphasizes the joint action taken to surpass an obstacle.

a reciprocal endeavor

Highlights the mutual aspect of the activity.

a commonplace struggle

Highlights the conventional and usual aspect of the struggle.

a joint struggle

Highlights the shared participation in the struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "a common struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "a common struggle" to describe a shared difficulty or challenge faced by a group of people. For example, "Access to clean water is "a common struggle" in many developing countries".

What are some alternatives to "a common struggle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a shared ordeal", "a mutual challenge", or "a collective hardship".

Is it appropriate to use "a common struggle" in formal writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While grammatically correct and widely understood, using alternatives like "shared challenge" or "collective endeavor" can enhance the sophistication of your writing.

What's the difference between "a common struggle" and "a shared experience"?

"A common struggle" implies a difficulty or challenge that is shared, whereas "a shared experience" is broader and can refer to any event or activity that is jointly experienced, regardless of whether it's positive or negative.