a true struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a true struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or experience that is genuinely difficult or challenging. Example: "Completing the marathon was a true struggle, but crossing the finish line made it all worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's a true struggle.

Independent

MH 11.05pm BST Oh no wait, apparently Disclosure v TOWIE is a true struggle.

The Guardian - Music

She has two more events in the Olympic trials, the 100 and 50 freestyles, but this event was a true struggle, which is what made it all the more rewarding when she broke through.

The New York Times - Sports

Men are the ones simply craving a life-partner to love and shag and build a life with, but there are so few decent women out there that men are experiencing a true struggle in their search; it's just impossible to find any women "worth dating".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Compassion says that an honest B or C prevails over a dishonest A, that the lower grade shows the true struggle that real education entails.

Huffington Post

The inverse is also true: struggle from the 3-point line and teams can cut themselves to pieces.

The New York Times - Sports

Though his novels are terrifically busy, with enforcements and diversions of all kinds, they are actually deprived of true struggle, because his characters struggle only with situations, and not with themselves.

The Guardian - Books

And that's frankly pretty offensive to those of us who know what true struggle looks like.

TechCrunch

The true struggle of living with autoimmune disease is known to people experiencing the pain daily and to family members and caregivers.

Huffington Post

The true struggle for more efficiency is more often fought in the gritty realm of politics than in the academic reports of think tanks and research organizations.

Huffington Post

The public never heard about the true struggle that drove the health care debate because the national media and the political dialog is incapable of much above the level of demagoguery.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a true struggle" to underscore the genuine difficulty of a situation. This emphasizes that the challenge is not superficial, but deeply felt or demanding. For instance, "Overcoming poverty was a true struggle for her family."

Common error

While "struggle" is appropriate, avoid using "a true struggle" in overly casual conversations, as it can sound melodramatic. Consider less emphatic alternatives like "a challenge" or "a tough time" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a true struggle" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe a difficult situation or experience. Ludwig examples show it characterizing events, personal challenges, and societal issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a true struggle" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the genuine difficulty of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, recommending it for contexts where you want to underscore the intensity of a challenge. While relatively rare, it frequently appears in news and media sources to highlight significant personal and societal issues. Consider alternative phrases like "a genuine hardship" or "a real challenge" for variety, but reserve "a true struggle" for situations where the difficulty is particularly noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine hardship

Replaces "struggle" with "hardship" and maintains the emphasis on difficulty.

a real challenge

Substitutes "struggle" with "challenge", highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

a significant challenge

Similar to "a real challenge" but with a slightly more formal tone.

a difficult ordeal

Uses "ordeal" instead of "struggle", emphasizing a painful or trying experience.

a tough battle

Employs "battle" to underscore the combative aspect of overcoming difficulties.

a demanding undertaking

Replaces the expression with more formal and neutral words.

a formidable task

Emphasizes the scale and difficulty of the undertaking.

a taxing endeavor

Focuses on the exhausting nature of the effort.

a trying experience

Highlights the stressful and testing nature of the situation.

a severe test

Emphasizes the evaluative aspect of the hardship.

FAQs

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

Use "a true struggle" to describe a situation that involves genuine difficulty or hardship. For example, "His battle with cancer was "a true struggle"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a true struggle"?

You can use alternatives such as "a genuine hardship", "a real challenge", or "a difficult ordeal" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a true struggle" or "a real struggle"?

Both "a true struggle" and "a real struggle" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to emphasize. Consider using Ludwig to compare their usage in different contexts.

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

Adding "true" emphasizes the genuineness and intensity of the struggle. "A struggle" simply indicates a difficulty, while ""a true struggle"" underscores that the difficulty is significant and authentic.