a struggle between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a struggle between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conflict or competition involving two or more parties, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The novel depicts a struggle between good and evil that captivates the reader throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a struggle between them.

The New Yorker

Darwish has called the conflict a "struggle between two memories".

The Guardian - Books

It is not a struggle between enlightenment and barbarism.

The Guardian - Arts

"This was a struggle between outside interests over city interests.

The New York Times

Is it a struggle between the two Eds?

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also a struggle between two discordant visions.

The Guardian

Probability and info-gap modeling emerged as a struggle between rival intellectual schools.

Info-Gap Decision Theory Decisions Under Severe Uncertainty

The book is purportedly about a struggle between aliens and humans – but read attentively, it's about a struggle between men and women.

The Guardian - Books

(Warner, $5.95). A struggle between the Spanish Army and Basque separatists.

The New York Times - Books

The game should be a struggle between the teams' two distinct tempos.

The New York Times

Their veto held up the national finances and caused a struggle between the two houses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a struggle between", ensure that the entities involved in the struggle are clearly defined to provide context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a struggle between" without specifying what is being struggled for or the nature of the conflict. Vague usage can weaken the impact of your statement and leave the reader unclear about the central issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a struggle between" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies a state of opposition or competition between two or more entities. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a struggle between" is a versatile phrase used to describe conflicts or competitions involving two or more entities. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific domains. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the entities engaged in the struggle. Alternative phrases like ""a battle between"" or ""a conflict between"" can be used depending on the desired intensity and nuance. With a neutral register and high frequency, "a struggle between" remains a valuable tool for expressing opposition in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a battle between

Replaces "struggle" with the more aggressive term "battle", emphasizing a more intense conflict.

a conflict between

Substitutes "struggle" with "conflict", indicating disagreement or clash of interests.

a clash between

Uses "clash" instead of "struggle", highlighting a direct confrontation or collision.

a contest between

Replaces "struggle" with "contest", suggesting a competition or rivalry.

a rivalry between

Emphasizes the competitive nature of the "struggle" using the term "rivalry".

a competition between

More directly indicates a competitive situation, replacing "struggle" with "competition".

a war between

Uses "war" instead of "struggle", intensifying the sense of conflict and opposition.

a division between

Replaces "struggle" with "division", focusing on separation or divergence.

a discord between

Emphasizes the lack of harmony or agreement, replacing "struggle" with "discord".

a tension between

Highlights the strained relationship or unease, substituting "struggle" with "tension".

FAQs

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

You can use "a struggle between" to describe conflicts or competitions, such as "The movie depicts "a struggle between" good and evil" or "There is "a struggle between" the two companies for market dominance".

What phrases are similar to "a struggle between"?

Similar phrases include "a conflict between", "a battle between", or "a clash between", each suggesting different levels of intensity and confrontation.

Is it correct to say "struggle of" instead of "struggle between"?

While "struggle of" is grammatically correct, it usually refers to a personal or internal challenge, while "a struggle between" typically describes a conflict involving multiple parties or concepts.

What's the difference between "a struggle between" and "a conflict between"?

While both phrases describe opposition, ""a struggle between"" implies a more prolonged and effortful contest, whereas ""a conflict between"" can refer to a more immediate or defined disagreement.