coping with

USAGE SUMMARY

"coping with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean "dealing with" something difficult or emotionally challenging. For example, "The first few weeks of college were difficult, but I'm slowly coping with all the new changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wade is coping with an injured knee.

The New York Times - Sports

Participants also practice coping with mock disasters.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Blanscet's son is coping with cancer.

The New York Times

Camby was coping with a sore hip.

The New York Times

How are you coping with the mud?

The Guardian

How were they coping with the tragedy?

The Guardian

How is she coping with that?

The Guardian

"It's our way of coping with death.

The New York Times

Are trusts coping with the CRC challenge?

The Guardian

It's about coping with loneliness, really.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I've been coping with PTSD ever since.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about difficult experiences, use "coping with" to convey resilience and the process of managing challenges, rather than simply stating the problem.

Common error

Instead of saying "The stress was being coped with", use the active voice: "She is actively "coping with" the stress". This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coping with" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and grammatically sound usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Huffington Post

6%

Chemical Engineering Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coping with" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes how someone manages or handles a difficult situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to personal blogs and everyday conversations. While alternatives like "dealing with" and "managing" exist, "coping with" often implies a more nuanced emotional or psychological aspect. Remember to use the active voice and consider the specific context to ensure the most effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dealing with

Focuses on the act of addressing or handling something, often a problem or challenge. It's more general and less about the emotional aspect.

managing

Implies taking control and responsibility for handling a situation or task effectively. Highlights the active control aspect.

handling

Suggests a practical and efficient approach to dealing with something, often a problem or task. Emphasizes the method of dealing.

addressing

Indicates a direct and focused approach to dealing with a specific issue or problem. Highlights the proactivity.

tackling

Implies facing and dealing with a difficult problem or challenge head-on. Emphasizes the challenge involved.

grappling with

Suggests struggling to understand or deal with a complex issue or problem. Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved.

confronting

Highlights the act of directly facing a challenge or problem, often one that is difficult or unpleasant. Emphasizes direct action.

enduring

Focuses on bearing or tolerating something difficult or painful over a period of time. Highlights the long-term nature of the situation.

navigating

Suggests carefully guiding oneself through a complex or challenging situation. Emphasizes the strategic approach.

overcoming

Implies successfully dealing with and moving past a difficult obstacle or challenge. Highlights the achievement of surpassing the challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "coping with" in a sentence?

Use "coping with" to describe how someone is managing a difficult situation or emotion. For instance, "She is "coping with" the loss of her job by volunteering".

What are some alternatives to "coping with"?

You can use alternatives like "dealing with", "managing", or "handling" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "coping with" or "dealing with"?

Both "coping with" and "dealing with" are correct, but "coping with" often implies a more emotional or psychological aspect of managing a difficult situation.

What's the difference between "coping with" and "enduring"?

"Coping with" suggests actively managing a situation, while "enduring" implies passively tolerating something difficult over time.