grapple with an issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grapple with an issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of struggling to understand or deal with a complex problem or situation. Example: "The committee had to grapple with the issue of funding cuts and their impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the week since a young woman was slain at Columbia University and her boyfriend committed suicide shortly afterward, the university and its students have grappled with an issue of increasing concern on campuses around the country: violent relationships among students.

The New York Times

They were Palestinians and Israelis, Egyptians and Jordanians, Romanians, Germans and more, grappling together with an issue that has touched each and every one of their countries and communities as viscerally as it has touched our own.

Huffington Post

The trade dispute has become an irritant in relations between the countries as they grapple with a number of pressing issues, including the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran and efforts to revive the global economy.

The New York Times

Today, the PHC nursing profession in Australia continues to grapple with a number of professional issues including the lack of: a comprehensive educational framework for nurses working in general practice [ 15, 17], a defined career framework [ 5] and an agreement on models of practice and the role of PHC nurses as part of a multi-disciplinary team [ 10].

BMC Nursing

Five supreme court justices are on Tuesday being asked to grapple with a legal issue relating to the fact that Jogee did not wield the knife, but urged Hirsi to do so.

The Guardian

From the outset, officials of the drug company and administrators of the college realized that they had to grapple with a tough issue that does not usually enter into real estate negotiations: the question of whether the needs and goals of a research laboratory could be compatible in all cases with the values of a Catholic institution.

The New York Times

This is the "move on" we hear from people in work teams, or committee meetings, or families, or anywhere we have to grapple with a difficult issue.

Huffington Post

Each group was asked to grapple with a particular issue, including: 1) defining and promoting the value of evolutionary thinking; 2) the research base for evolution education (what evidence is needed?); and 3) connecting the Thinking Evolutionarily initiative to other efforts to improve life sciences education.

CBE Life Sciences Education

My own suggestion to Muslims grappling with such an issue is to recognize that when it comes to what we believe, science and religion address two kinds of truth: empirical and revealed.

Huffington Post

"We are grappling with a number of issues, we really are, but I think we are making progress," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Huffington Post

"Getting to this vote has taken longer than we would have liked," he said in a statement, "but five agencies have had to work together to grapple with a large number of difficult issues and respond to extensive public comments".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grapple with an issue", ensure the context clearly indicates a struggle or difficulty in understanding or resolving the issue. Use it to convey a sense of complexity and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "grapple with an issue" when a simpler phrase like "address" or "handle" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grapple with an issue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an active effort to understand or resolve a challenging problem. It is commonly used to describe situations requiring thoughtful consideration and significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grapple with an issue" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to describe the act of struggling to understand or resolve a complex problem. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English. While no exact examples were found, the phrase's versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to formal business communications. When writing, ensure that the context justifies the use of this phrase, as simpler alternatives may sometimes be more appropriate. The related phrases provided offer several ways to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grapple with a challenge

Highlights the demanding nature of the problem that needs to be solved.

Tackle a problem

Focuses on actively solving the problem, implying a more direct and energetic approach.

Confront an issue

Emphasizes direct engagement with the issue, often suggesting a need to address it head-on.

Come to grips with a situation

Suggests beginning to understand and deal with a challenging situation or reality.

Address a concern

Highlights the act of giving attention to and dealing with a worry or problem.

Contend with a difficulty

Suggests struggling against a difficulty, often involving persistent effort.

Wrestle with a problem

Implies a more intense and prolonged struggle to understand or resolve the problem.

Deal with a matter

Emphasizes handling or managing a specific matter or situation.

Navigate a situation

Focuses on skillfully guiding oneself through a complex or difficult situation.

Understand a subject

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge or comprehension of a particular subject or topic.

FAQs

How can I use "grapple with an issue" in a sentence?

You can use "grapple with an issue" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to understand or resolve a complex problem. For example, "The committee had to "grapple with the issue" of budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "grapple with an issue"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tackle a problem", "confront an issue", or "address a concern".

Is it better to say "grapple with an issue" or "address an issue"?

"Grapple with an issue" implies a more significant struggle and complexity compared to "address an issue", which suggests a more straightforward handling of the matter. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context.

What's the difference between "grapple with an issue" and "wrestle with a problem"?

While both phrases suggest a struggle, "wrestle with a problem" often implies a more intense and prolonged struggle than "grapple with an issue". Both are suitable when describing a difficult challenge.