as they struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or groups are facing difficulties or challenges. Example: "The team worked tirelessly on the project, as they struggle to meet the tight deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Governments will have a keen interest in the development of metrics, as they struggle with regulation of these new entities.

Industrial Marketing Management

But many people may be clicking accidentally as they struggle to get rid of such ads.

The Economist

Manufacturers are retreating from ambitious production goals as they struggle with bloated inventories of unsold goods.

The New York Times

You are trying to help your colleagues as they struggle through their grief.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gay rights activists say the incident highlights the challenge they face as they struggle for equality.

Independent

Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives.

The New York Times

Most teenagers are in some kind of opposition to authority as they struggle to grow up.

The New York Times

Communist Party leaders cling tightly to their security state, even as they struggle to control it.

The Economist

Declan Butler reports on the risks run by researchers as they struggle to pursue their studies.

Nature

One feels the anxiety of the code-breakers as they struggle to do the near-impossible.

The Washington Post

Companies tend to offer more appealing incentives as they struggle to fill vacancies.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they struggle" to depict situations where ongoing effort is being exerted against resistance, creating a sense of empathy or highlighting resilience.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "as they struggle". Keep the tense consistent throughout the sentence to maintain clarity and logical flow. For example, don't say "As they struggle now, they overcame the problem last year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they struggle" functions as an adverbial clause of time or circumstance, indicating that an action or situation occurs concurrently with a group's efforts to overcome difficulties. The phrase is commonly found and used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as they struggle" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to describe a concurrent action alongside an ongoing difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in "News & Media", academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to maintain consistent tense and ensure clarity regarding who 'they' refers to and what constitutes their struggle. Alternative phrases, such as "while contending with difficulties" or "when facing adversity", can offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. The frequency and diverse application of "as they struggle" across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and adaptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the midst of their struggles

This phrase emphasizes that the individuals are currently experiencing their difficulties.

as they grapple with hardships

This uses stronger language to emphasize the severity of the difficulties.

while contending with difficulties

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary and highlights the act of actively dealing with problems.

while wrestling with challenges

Implies a more active and prolonged struggle.

when facing adversity

This option focuses on the challenging circumstances and is suitable for more dramatic or formal contexts.

as they work through their issues

Emphasizes a process of actively resolving difficulties.

as they navigate their problems

This option implies a process of finding a way through difficulties.

during their efforts to overcome obstacles

This alternative emphasizes the attempt to surmount barriers.

while undergoing trials

This is a more formal and potentially literary way to describe a period of difficulty.

when up against it

An informal, idiomatic expression for facing a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "as they struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "as they struggle" to describe a situation where a group of people or individuals are facing difficulties or challenges. For instance, "Companies tend to offer more appealing incentives "as they struggle" to fill vacancies".

What are some alternatives to "as they struggle"?

Alternatives to "as they struggle" include phrases like "while contending with difficulties", "when facing adversity", or "as they grapple with hardships".

Is it always appropriate to use "as they struggle" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as they struggle" may sound less formal than alternatives like "while contending with challenges". Choose your wording to fit the desired tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "as they struggle" and "while they struggle"?

The phrases "as they struggle" and "while they struggle" are largely interchangeable and can often be used in the same contexts. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.