costly struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult situation or conflict that incurs significant expenses, whether financial, emotional, or physical. Example: "The company faced a costly struggle to maintain its market position amidst increasing competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It could result in a costly struggle.

The New York Times

But it was not a speech preparing the country for a lengthy or costly struggle.

The Economist

Weight-loss reality shows like "The Biggest Loser" turn obesity into a contest, painting the solitary, often costly struggle against obesity as an exhilarating and financially rewarding team sport.

The New York Times - Arts

The park, as Douglas Martin of The Times wrote in February 1998, "represents the culmination of a long, costly struggle to transform the West Side waterfront after the demise of shipping".

The New York Times

And he had uncommon access to the mother lode of Vietnam archives, a government history of how four presidents, from Truman to Johnson, committed America to the ever more costly struggle against Vietnam's communists.

The New York Times - Arts

In what will most likely be a costly struggle for the survival of his ownership of the Mets, he was not predicting victory as much as he was leaning on another reliable cliché often used by those in sports who feel slandered and insulted.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Now Gazprom looks unreliable and costly, struggling to compete with liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by tanker and sold on the spot market, where plentiful shale gas is creating a glut.

The Economist

It was not a great night for the dauphins of 2000, though worse for George W. Bush than for Al Gore, and the results suggested strongly that both parties now face long, costly struggles for their presidential nominations.

The New York Times

Now that George W. Bush has just prevailed over Al Gore in a long, costly, vitriolic struggle over the presidency, he is getting plenty of advice.

The New York Times

Vernon has become the center of a vast and costly power struggle, as state officials have embarked on an extraordinary campaign to legally abolish the city and make it part of Los Angeles County.

The New York Times

Smaller communities lag the expertise necessary to counter these evaluations and are avoiding lengthy and potentially costly juristic struggles.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "costly struggle", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the struggle costly. Is it financial resources, time, or other factors? Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "costly struggle" excessively in formal writing if more precise alternatives like "expensive undertaking" or "resource-intensive conflict" are more appropriate for the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly struggle" functions as a noun phrase where "costly" modifies the noun "struggle". It describes a situation, conflict, or endeavor characterized by significant expense or sacrifice. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples demonstrating its descriptive usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "costly struggle" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a conflict or endeavor marked by significant expenses, whether financial, emotional, or physical. Ludwig AI analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist, confirms its validity and common usage. While categorized as "Uncommon" in frequency, it is versatile enough for various contexts, including news, encyclopedic content, and even professional settings. When using this phrase, be specific about what makes the struggle costly to maximize clarity. For increased precision or formality, consider alternatives like "expensive undertaking" or "resource-intensive fight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous and expensive battle

Highlights both the difficulty and the financial cost of a conflict.

taxing and expensive challenge

Highlights both the difficulty and financial implications of a challenge.

financially draining conflict

Specifically addresses the financial depletion resulting from a struggle.

economically burdensome effort

Focuses on the economic strain caused by a particular endeavor.

expensive undertaking

Focuses on the financial burden of an enterprise.

resource-intensive fight

Highlights the significant resources required for a confrontation.

pricey endeavor

Emphasizes the high price or cost associated with an attempt or effort.

expensive ordeal

Highlights the negative experience and the cost associated with it.

investment-heavy battle

Emphasizes the large amount of investment required for a competition.

high-priced contest

Emphasizes the monetary value associated with a competitive event or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "costly struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "costly struggle" to describe a situation that requires significant resources or expenses to overcome. For example: "The company faced a "costly struggle" to maintain its market position."

What are some alternatives to "costly struggle"?

You can use alternatives such as "expensive battle", "pricey conflict", or "resource-intensive fight" depending on the context.

Is "costly struggle" a formal or informal phrase?

"Costly struggle" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more precise language might be preferred in highly formal settings. Consider alternatives like "economically burdensome effort" for a more formal tone.

What does "costly struggle" typically refer to?

"Costly struggle" generally refers to a conflict or challenge that involves significant expense or sacrifice, whether in terms of money, time, or effort. It suggests that the situation is not only difficult but also financially or otherwise burdensome.