are we floundering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are we floundering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning whether a group or individual is struggling or failing to make progress in a situation. Example: "In our recent project meetings, I've noticed a lack of direction. Are we floundering in our efforts to meet the deadline?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Are we floundering?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With teens it is harder, and you have to have an ongoing conversation, but I think we're all floundering – we haven't been through this ourselves and we're all basically taking part in a massive experiment.

The Guardian

It is – we are – a dumb, floundering nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead we are left floundering in ever more stormy seas and each rescue raft turns out to be too little, too late.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, the very idea of the good life has been so eliminated from public consideration that we are left floundering with the vague rhetoric of happiness, something that has proved insatiable and elusive.

The Guardian - Books

"When we talk about suicide rates, we're floundering in the dark," Gladys Blackmore, executive director of Men at Risk, a Grande Prairie-based mental health program targeting tradesmen that was formed during the early 90s.

The Guardian

Right now we're floundering in the tyranny of middle age, thinking we know what blogging and tweeting and social graph are all about while at the same time already tiring of the glut of mediocrity and the lack of inspiration.

TechCrunch

"We're floundering on this issue," said Professor Mark Richardson, the senior theological adviser at Trinity Institute, at a cocktail party held after the first day's lectures.

The New Yorker

When I arrived we were floundering in League Two with a toilet of a ground".

BBC

In the US, we're still floundering with whether, when or where we might have high-speed rail service someday, but the TGV was launched in 1981, nearly 30 years ago.

Huffington Post

The record career was floundering and we weren't quite sure where we were going to go and we were trying to figure out where we were going to go.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are we floundering" when you want to question whether a group or individual is experiencing significant difficulties and struggling to make progress.

Common error

Avoid using "are we floundering" when you simply mean to ask if there are minor difficulties. This phrase implies a more serious and pervasive struggle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are we floundering" functions as an interrogative clause, questioning whether a state of struggling or failing is being experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are we floundering" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to question whether a group or individual is struggling or failing to make progress. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, and its alternatives include "are we struggling" and "are we failing". When using the phrase, consider its connotation of a significant struggle, and ensure it accurately reflects the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are we struggling

Focuses on the difficulty of a situation.

are we failing

Emphasizes a lack of success.

are we losing ground

Highlights a decline in position or progress.

are we falling behind

Indicates a lag in progress compared to others.

are we getting nowhere

Focuses on the futility of effort.

are we adrift

Suggests a lack of direction or control.

are we off course

Emphasizes a deviation from the intended path.

are we in trouble

Focuses on the potential for negative consequences.

are we in a rut

Suggests a repetitive and unproductive pattern.

are we stagnant

Highlights a lack of movement or growth.

FAQs

What does "are we floundering" mean?

The phrase "are we floundering" means are we struggling or failing to make progress; are we in a difficult situation and not knowing how to proceed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are we floundering"?

It's appropriate when assessing whether a group or individual is facing significant challenges and struggling to achieve their goals. Alternatives include "are we struggling" or "are we failing".

What are some alternatives to "are we floundering"?

You can use alternatives like "are we losing ground", "are we adrift", or "are we off course" depending on the context.

How do I use "are we floundering" in a sentence?

You can use it to question the effectiveness of a strategy or the progress of a project, for example, "In our recent project meetings, I've noticed a lack of direction. Are we floundering in our efforts to meet the deadline?"