hard struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

'hard struggle' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe any kind of challenging, long-term effort, for example, "The students underwent a hard struggle to pass their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's been a hard struggle," he said.

The Guardian

That will be a long, hard struggle in Bangladesh.

The Economist

"We are in a hard struggle, the pains are severe.

Independent

"It's been a hard struggle," Ms. Johnson said.

The New York Times

Four officers immediately pounced upon him and after a short but hard struggle he was overpowered.

The New York Times

"It's a long, hard struggle and very gradually maybe we are making progress," McCain said.

The Washington Post

Either way, no deal is depicted as a long, hard struggle.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are engaged in a hard struggle against a cruel and determined adversary.

The New York Times

The smaller newspapers have had a hard struggle; many of them have disappeared.

The Guardian - Opinion

Changing the law and public attitudes in Romania has been a long, hard struggle.

The New York Times

We are simply defeated by the long, hard struggle to stay alive".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a prolonged and challenging situation, use "hard struggle" to convey both the difficulty and the perseverance required to overcome it.

Common error

While "hard struggle" is appropriate for many situations, avoid it in very informal contexts where simpler phrases like "tough time" or "rough patch" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard struggle" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "hard" modifies the noun "struggle". It describes a difficult and sustained effort to achieve something. Examples from Ludwig show its common usage in describing various challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard struggle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe challenging and sustained efforts. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to convey the intensity and difficulty of a situation in a neutral register. Ludwig's analysis of various sources, predominantly from news and media, highlights its versatility in depicting diverse challenges. When opting for synonyms, consider alternatives like "difficult battle" or "tough challenge" to best suit the context. Avoid overuse in informal conversations for a more natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uphill battle

Idiomatic expression indicating a difficult and protracted struggle against unfavorable odds.

difficult battle

Replaces 'struggle' with 'battle', emphasizing conflict and resistance.

intense battle

Replaces 'hard' with 'intense', emphasizing the high degree of effort and focus involved.

tough challenge

Substitutes 'struggle' with 'challenge', highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

formidable challenge

Substitutes 'hard' with 'formidable', highlighting the difficulty of the challenge.

arduous endeavor

Replaces both 'hard' and 'struggle' with more formal synonyms, indicating a laborious effort.

severe trial

Emphasizes the testing and challenging nature of the experience.

grueling ordeal

Emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the experience, changing the tone significantly.

laborious effort

Focuses on the extensive work required, diminishing the sense of conflict.

demanding task

Focuses on the effort required by the task, removing the connotation of resistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard struggle" to describe any situation that requires significant effort and perseverance, such as "The company faced a "hard struggle" to stay afloat during the recession".

What can I say instead of "hard struggle"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult battle", "tough challenge", or "arduous endeavor" depending on the context.

Is "hard struggle" formal or informal?

"Hard struggle" is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal settings, consider using phrases like "tough time" or "rough patch".

What's the difference between "hard struggle" and "uphill battle"?

"Hard struggle" is a general term for a difficult situation, while "uphill battle" specifically implies a struggle against unfavorable odds or significant resistance.