grappled with

USAGE SUMMARY

"grappled with" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of struggling to understand or cope with something. For example, "She grappled with the difficult problem for hours, before finally finding a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He grappled with Louis Farrakhan.

The New York Times

These transgressions need to be grappled with.

The New York Times

You've grappled with the freakiness within.

The New York Times - Books

Throughout the semester students grappled with questions.

Columbia University

This year, Cleveland grappled with another disturbing crime.

The New York Times

Instead, we grappled with hillbilly stereotypes.

The Washington Post

The king also grappled with domestic crises.

The New York Times

Eden's Empire grappled with the Suez crisis.

The Guardian

Others grappled with how to highlight information.

The Washington Post

Towards the close, Hughes grappled with Aeschylus.

The Guardian

"And we haven't grappled with this as a society".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grappled with" to convey a sense of struggle and effort in understanding or resolving a complex issue. It is particularly effective when the subject has invested considerable time and thought.

Common error

Avoid using "grappled with" for simple tasks or decisions. This phrase implies a significant challenge or problem that requires deep thought and effort to overcome, not a trivial matter.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grappled with" is a verb phrase acting as the main verb in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing the act of struggling intellectually or physically with a challenge. The phrase connects the subject with the object of their struggle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grappled with" is a versatile phrase used to describe struggling to understand or overcome a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse sources. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, its neutral-to-formal register makes it appropriate for various situations. Related phrases like "struggled against" or "wrestled with" can provide nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When using "grappled with", ensure that the context involves a substantial challenge requiring significant effort to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggled against

This alternative emphasizes the resistance or opposition faced during the struggle.

wrestled with

This alternative suggests a more direct and intense confrontation with the challenge.

dealt with difficulty

This alternative highlights the problematic nature of the situation being addressed.

contended with

This alternative implies a persistent effort to overcome the obstacle.

combated

This alternative emphasizes a direct and active fight against a problem.

faced arduously

This alternative underscores the difficulty and demanding nature of confronting something.

labored over

This alternative suggests a significant amount of effort and time was invested.

grappled against

Replaces 'with' by 'against', focusing more on active opposition.

tussled with

Indicates a physical or metaphorical struggle with something.

squared off against

Suggests preparing for a conflict or challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "grappled with" to describe someone struggling to understand or solve a complex problem. For example, "The committee "grappled with" the ethical implications of the new technology for weeks."

What's the difference between "struggled with" and "grappled with"?

"Struggled with" generally implies difficulty, while "grappled with" suggests a more active and intellectual engagement in trying to understand or resolve something. You might "struggle with" a physical task, but you would "grappled with" a philosophical question.

What can I say instead of "grappled with"?

Alternatives to "grappled with" include "struggled against", "wrestled with", or "dealt with difficulty", depending on the context.

Is "grappled with" formal or informal?

"Grappled with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.