as it struggles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it struggles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is having difficulty or facing challenges, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The plant began to wilt as it struggles to adapt to the harsh environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

May 2009: Toyota reports the worst results in its history as it struggles with the global economic crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford is selling some of its brands as it struggles with continuing losses.

Forbes

As it struggles with its greatest ever humanitarian test, the EU is in danger of being wrenched apart.

Independent

It's possible that these are the usual contortions any new team finds itself in as it struggles to its feet.

The New York Times

Snap lost a staggering $443 million this quarter as it struggles to improve its efficiency while growing its advertising base.

TechCrunch

Japan is still attracting investment from abroad as it struggles to keep its economic rebound moving.

The New York Times

Europe is an important market for the company, as it struggles to prove its worth on Wall Street.

The New York Times - Tech

It's the challenge facing Coca-Cola as it struggles to raise its "share of throat" in noncarbonated beverages.

Harvard Business Review

George Monbiot: As it struggles to justify its invasion, the US is getting ready to use banned weapons in Iraq.

The Guardian

The company needed a thumbs-up from its long-suffering shareholders as it struggles to pick up the pieces.

Los Angeles Times

It grows slowly at first as it struggles to put down its roots and build the first sprouts of leaf.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "as it struggles" is perfectly acceptable, consider using synonyms like "as it grapples" or "as it contends" to add nuance and prevent repetition, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "as it struggles" in situations where the challenge is minor or easily overcome. This phrase implies a significant level of difficulty; using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and sound overdramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it struggles" functions as an adverbial clause of time or circumstance, modifying the main clause by providing context about the ongoing difficulty faced by the subject. It indicates that an action or event is happening concurrently with the period of struggle. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as it struggles" is a versatile and commonly used construction to indicate concurrent difficulty or challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial clause, adding context and depth to a sentence. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, though synonyms might be preferred for heightened formality or to avoid repetition. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best to avoid overusing it in contexts where the difficulty is insignificant. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, this phrase appears predominantly in news and media, business, and scientific sources, reflecting its relevance in reporting and analyzing ongoing challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while it grapples

Replaces "struggles" with "grapples", emphasizing a more hands-on, active engagement with a problem.

as it contends

Uses "contends" to suggest a more argumentative or competitive struggle.

while it wrestles

Similar to "grapples", but may imply a more physical or internal struggle.

as it faces challenges

More explicit and less figurative than "as it struggles".

as it encounters difficulties

Similar to "faces challenges", but slightly more formal.

as it has a hard time

More informal and straightforward.

as it labors

Implies a heavy or arduous effort.

as it toils

Similar to "labors", but may suggest a more continuous or persistent effort.

when it finds it difficult

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the difficulty.

as it flounders

Suggests a lack of direction or progress in the struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "as it struggles" in a sentence?

You can use "as it struggles" to describe a situation where something or someone is facing difficulties or challenges. For example, "The company is cutting more jobs, "as it struggles" amid declining revenues."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as it struggles"?

Some alternatives include "as it contends", "as it grapples", or "as it faces challenges" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as it struggles" formal or informal?

"As it struggles" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "as it endeavors" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "as it struggles" and "because it struggles"?

"As it struggles" describes a simultaneous action or state, while "because it struggles" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. "As it struggles" describes the circumstances while "because it struggles" explains the reason behind an action.