an ongoing struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or persistent challenge or conflict that someone is facing. Example: "The community has been engaged in an ongoing struggle for equal rights and representation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it will be an ongoing struggle.

The New Yorker

But it's an ongoing struggle.

The Guardian

It's an ongoing struggle, and it's real.

The New York Times

But it's an ongoing struggle in Northern Ireland.

Independent

Managing the mental highs and lows is an ongoing struggle.

The New York Times

"This is going to be an ongoing struggle".

The New York Times

It's an ongoing struggle but one I'm enjoying.

The Guardian

"It was an ongoing struggle," Ms. Tomshack said.

The New York Times - Style

Pinker sees this as part of an ongoing struggle.

The New York Times

Picasso's developing art is an ongoing struggle with a series of past artists.

Independent

"It's an ongoing struggle, one that all Americans should always be willing to undertake".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ongoing struggle" to convey the idea of a long-term, persistent challenge. For instance, "Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is an ongoing struggle for many professionals."

Common error

While "an ongoing struggle" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "persistent challenge" or "continuous effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing struggle" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "struggle". This phrase typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a situation or issue that is characterized by continuous difficulty or effort, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing struggle" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a continuous or persistent challenge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider varying your language to avoid redundancy and ensure the context accurately reflects the protracted nature of the situation. Its semantic alternatives are phrases like "a continuing battle", "a persistent challenge", and "a sustained effort".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing battle

Emphasizes the combative nature of the situation.

a constant struggle

Emphasizes the unwavering and relentless nature of the challenge.

a sustained effort

Highlights the persistence and dedication required.

a persistent challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of the situation.

a continuous effort

Underscores the ongoing and unbroken nature of the work being done.

a prolonged conflict

Highlights the duration and potential intensity of the disagreement.

a never-ending battle

Highlights that the conflict has no foreseeable end.

a relentless pursuit

Focuses on the determined and unwavering nature of the effort.

a tough situation

Simplifies and broadens the concept to a difficult circumstance.

a grinding process

Highlights the slow, difficult and often demoralizing aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "an ongoing struggle" to describe a continuous or persistent challenge. For example: "The fight against climate change is "an ongoing struggle"."

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing struggle"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a continuing battle", "a persistent challenge", or "a sustained effort", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an ongoing struggle" in writing?

Use "an ongoing struggle" when you want to emphasize the long-term and continuous nature of a challenge or conflict.

Is there a difference between "an ongoing struggle" and "a constant struggle"?

While similar, "a constant struggle" might imply a more unremitting and intense challenge, whereas "an ongoing struggle" simply highlights the continuing nature of the difficulty.