grappling with difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grappling with difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of struggling to deal with challenges or obstacles in various contexts, such as personal, academic, or professional situations. Example: "The team has been grappling with difficulties in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's absolutely grappling with the difficulties," he said.

The New York Times

But among all these stories about men grappling with the difficulties of fatherhood, there's a notable lack of any mother protagonists in this year's most prominent hits.

The Guardian - Film

The credit-default swap is an even simpler risk-transfer instrument: you pay someone else an insurance premium to take on the risk that a borrower will default.Third, even at this early stage the social-impact bond is grappling with the difficulties of measurement and standardisation.

The Economist

The allocation of a unique personal number to all Swedish citizens and in-migrants facilitated a national database that is envied by many countries still grappling with the difficulty of accurately assessing basic aspects their population's health.

Global Health Action

The idea of creating an American version of MI-5 has gained support as the Bush administration, Congress and outside experts have all tried to grapple with the difficulties of tracking terrorists once they are inside the United States.

The New York Times

The court failed to grapple with the difficulties caused by the way that women seeking a safe space for themselves and their children are charged for their accommodation, including in women's refuges.

The Guardian

Similarly Marvel, which has produced comics in various forms since 1939, is a company that teems with talent while it is confined by its traditions and is enjoying a hard-fought moment in the spotlight while it grapples with larger difficulties afflicting the publishing world.

The New York Times

They even talk about the difficulties the Founders had grappling with these ideals during the difficulties of their time -- including holding the natural rights of humanity aloft, while nearly tearing themselves apart over the issues of slavery.

Huffington Post

Since then, it has been a struggle to reestablish a ballet culture in this small country -- Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 -- that is grappling with countless post-war difficulties, from a sky-high unemployment rate to rampant corruption.

Huffington Post

The drama, premiering Thursday, is a return to broadcast for the actor who first shot to stardom on Fox with the iconic sci-fi series "The X-Files" and then leaped to cable, spending seven seasons on Showtime's racy "Californication" as a troubled, alcoholic writer grappling with life and family difficulties.

Los Angeles Times

Even BlackRock, the big money manager, has had some difficulty grappling with the global market turmoil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grappling with difficulties" to convey a sense of active and ongoing struggle against specific challenges. Ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of these difficulties for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "grappling with difficulties" in overly formal or technical contexts where a more direct and precise term like "addressing challenges" would be more appropriate. Overusing figurative language can diminish clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grappling with difficulties" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing effort to overcome challenging circumstances. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples from Ludwig further illustrate its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grappling with difficulties" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an active and ongoing struggle against specific challenges. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its usage frequency is missing, so it depends on the context. Alternative phrases like "struggling with challenges" or "addressing challenges" offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. Use "grappling with difficulties" when you want to highlight the active effort and complexity involved in overcoming obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrestling with issues

Uses "wrestling" to convey a sense of intense and direct engagement with the difficulties.

struggling with challenges

Replaces "grappling" with a more common synonym, reducing the intensity of the struggle.

contending with hardships

Emphasizes the severity of the difficulties, suggesting a more prolonged and intense struggle.

tackling problems

Focuses on actively addressing the difficulties, suggesting a more proactive approach.

addressing challenges

A more formal and direct way of expressing the act of dealing with difficulties.

confronting obstacles

Similar to "facing obstacles" but with a slightly more assertive tone.

facing obstacles

Highlights the presence of barriers, shifting the focus from the struggle to the impediments.

overcoming adversity

Emphasizes the act of successfully navigating through difficult circumstances, suggesting a positive outcome.

navigating complexities

Focuses on the intricate nature of the difficulties, suggesting a need for careful maneuvering.

managing predicaments

Suggests a focus on controlling and handling difficult situations with a pragmatic approach.

FAQs

How can I use "grappling with difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "grappling with difficulties" to describe a situation where someone is actively struggling to overcome challenges. For example: "The company is "grappling with difficulties" related to supply chain disruptions."

What are some alternatives to "grappling with difficulties"?

Alternatives include "struggling with challenges", "contending with hardships", or "addressing challenges". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "grappling with difficulties" or "addressing challenges"?

"Addressing challenges" is generally more formal than "grappling with difficulties". The latter implies a more active and perhaps less successful struggle, while the former suggests a more direct and professional approach.

What kind of difficulties are best described by "grappling with difficulties"?

The phrase "grappling with difficulties" is best used to describe complex, ongoing challenges that require significant effort and persistence to overcome. These could be anything from financial problems to personal struggles.