an ongoing battle

USAGE SUMMARY

"an ongoing battle" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or conflict that has been ongoing or continuous for a period of time. Example: The company has been facing an ongoing battle with declining sales for the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's an ongoing battle.

The New York Times

It is an ongoing battle.

The Guardian

"This is an ongoing battle.

The New York Times

"It's always an ongoing battle," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They arrived to an ongoing battle.

The New York Times

Their relationship still is an ongoing battle".

The Guardian - Music

It's an ongoing battle for him.

The Washington Post

It's an ongoing battle to keep up with increasing demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not an ongoing battle against clutter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At worst, it is an ongoing battle for sanity.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This will likely remain an ongoing 'battle' between microbes and their hosts in pathogenic associations.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing battle", clearly specify what the battle is about to provide context and clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing battle" for minor or trivial situations. Reserve it for conflicts or struggles that are truly significant and persistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing battle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a continuous state of conflict or struggle. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing battle" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a continuous state of conflict or struggle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to clarify the specific nature of the battle. While versatile, avoid overusing it for trivial situations. Related phrases include "a continuing struggle", "a persistent conflict", and "a never-ending fight", each offering slightly different nuances. Remember to accurately state the subject of the "battle" for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing struggle

Replaces "battle" with "struggle", softening the intensity of the conflict.

a persistent conflict

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the disagreement using "persistent".

a never-ending fight

Uses "never-ending" to highlight the perpetual nature of the conflict.

a protracted dispute

Replaces "battle" with "dispute" and "ongoing" with "protracted" suggesting a lengthy disagreement.

a constant contention

Uses a more formal vocabulary to express a continuous disagreement.

a sustained effort

Shifts the focus from conflict to the sustained effort required to overcome challenges.

a chronic problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect that requires a constant solution.

a perennial challenge

Highlights the recurring nature of the challenge.

a standing issue

Emphasizes that it's a consistent and unresolved problem

a running feud

Implies a personal and often bitter long-term conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing battle" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing battle" to describe a continuous struggle against something, such as "The company is facing "an ongoing battle" with its competitors".

What's a more formal alternative to "an ongoing battle"?

A more formal alternative could be "a protracted dispute" or "a sustained effort", depending on the context.

Is "an ongoing battle" always negative?

While often used in negative contexts, "an ongoing battle" can also describe a continuous effort towards a positive goal, such as ""an ongoing battle" for social justice".

What's the difference between "an ongoing battle" and "a one-time conflict"?

"An ongoing battle" implies a continuous, unresolved struggle, whereas "a one-time conflict" refers to a singular, isolated event.