a tense struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tense struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or conflict that is characterized by high levels of stress, anxiety, or difficulty. Example: "The negotiations between the two countries turned into a tense struggle, with both sides unwilling to compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The top-seeded Americans survived what became a tense struggle of spectacular shotmaking and remarkably few unforced errors.

The New York Times

It brings into focus a cohort of abolitionists who were engaged in a tense struggle with practitioners of the rising disciplines of biology and ethnology.

Harvard University

Actually, Whyte scored the empty netter, icing a tense struggle between two teams who had previously split 14 games since Oct. 25.

The New York Times - Sports

After he had fallen behind positionally, Tate fought back with superb tactical skill, and Benjamin had to match him blow for blow to win a tense struggle.

The New York Times

Relief, rather than rejoicing, was the overriding emotion at the end of a tense struggle to keep FA Cup ambitions intact.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Barenboim, 57, who has been at the former East Berlin's magnificent Staatsoper for the past eight years, is involved in a tense struggle with the city authorities that provide much of his financing over plans to cut costs by merging his house with the far less venerable Deutsche Oper in the West.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In a sometimes tense struggle, both players lost their composure late in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

She said the event came together amid a tense personal struggle; she didn't hear from her family for two weeks.

The Washington Post

They gave us a tense, raw struggle the first time and there are good judges who reckon the result might go Eubank's way next time.

The Guardian - Sport

A tense, fierce struggle resulted in a series of failed Yankee opportunities, one or two debatable moves by Joe Torre and, finally, Knoblauch's dishonoring of the most rudimentary rule in sports.

The New York Times - Sports

Boxcar used a one-act version of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof that condensed the action into a tense power struggle for Big Daddy's estate as the Pollit family learned that its patriarch had terminal cancer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tense struggle" to describe situations where there is both significant effort and a high degree of anxiety or pressure. This phrase is effective when conveying the emotional weight of a difficult situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a tense struggle" repeatedly within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a heated conflict" or "a fierce battle" to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from becoming monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tense struggle" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "tense" is an adjective modifying the noun "struggle". As shown in the Ludwig examples, this phrase typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, providing descriptive detail about a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Sport

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tense struggle" effectively conveys a situation marked by both significant effort and heightened emotional stress. As noted by Ludwig, it functions grammatically as a noun phrase typically describing a challenging or critical situation. While the phrase is deemed correct, consider using synonyms to enrich your writing style. Predominantly found in news and media, its register remains neutral, suitable across various contexts. When aiming to articulate both the difficulty and emotional strain of a situation, "a tense struggle" serves as a potent and vivid descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heated conflict

Replaces 'struggle' with 'conflict', emphasizing the intensity of the disagreement or battle.

a fierce battle

Substitutes 'struggle' with 'battle', highlighting the aggressive and competitive nature of the situation.

a difficult ordeal

Replaces 'tense struggle' with 'difficult ordeal', shifting the focus to the challenging and trying experience.

a high-stakes confrontation

Emphasizes the significant consequences and risks involved in the encounter.

an arduous contest

Replaces both 'tense' and 'struggle' to convey a sense of prolonged and strenuous effort.

a hard-fought competition

Highlights the determined effort and resilience displayed by participants in the face of adversity.

a close match

Focuses on the narrow margin separating competitors, highlighting the uncertainty and intensity of the situation.

a grueling challenge

Emphasizes the exhausting and demanding nature of the situation, highlighting the physical and mental toll it takes on participants.

a nail-biting standoff

Focuses on the suspenseful and uncertain nature of the situation, highlighting the anticipation and anxiety experienced by observers.

an uneasy confrontation

This alternative swaps 'tense' for 'uneasy' while keeping the word confrontation

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a tense struggle" in a sentence?

Use "a tense struggle" to depict situations involving significant effort, high stakes, and considerable anxiety. For example, "The negotiations between the unions and management became "a tense struggle" as the deadline approached."

What are some alternatives to "a tense struggle" that I can use to vary my writing?

Alternatives include "a heated conflict", "a fierce battle", or "a difficult ordeal". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context and emotional tone you wish to convey.

Is there a difference in meaning between "a tense struggle" and "a difficult challenge"?

"A tense struggle" emphasizes the emotional strain and pressure involved in the effort, while "a difficult challenge" focuses more on the inherent difficulty and obstacles to overcome. The former suggests a higher degree of anxiety.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a tense struggle"?

The phrase is well-suited for describing conflicts, negotiations, competitions, or any situation where there is a combination of high stakes, significant effort, and emotional stress. It is often found in news reports, academic analyses, and narratives detailing intense or critical situations.