has grappled with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has grappled with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has struggled or dealt with a difficult issue or challenge. Example: "The organization has grappled with the complexities of climate change for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

France has grappled with this conundrum for years.

The Economist

South Carolina has grappled with other controversial animal practices.

The New York Times

He has grappled with flat screens for dozens of clients.

The New York Times

Uber's board has grappled with a history of infighting.

The New York Times - Tech

Much organizational identity research has grappled with the question of identity emergence or change.

Harvard University

Edward S. Lampert, another hedge fund manager, has grappled with reviving Sears Holdings for years.

The New York Times

These have been spirited meetings as the staff has grappled with issues never faced before.

The New York Times

Like many small liberal arts colleges, Marymount has grappled with financial problems and declining enrollment.

The New York Times

It's a question she has grappled with, but to which she doesn't have any glib answers.

The Guardian

Egypt has grappled with the rise of jihadist groups in the Sinai Peninsula in recent years.

The Washington Post

The agency has grappled with issues surrounding race in recent years.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has grappled with" to convey a sense of ongoing effort and struggle when addressing complex issues or challenges. It's particularly effective when describing how individuals, organizations, or societies deal with persistent problems.

Common error

Avoid using "has grappled with" in contexts where a simpler term like "dealt with" or "handled" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has grappled with" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the subject's ongoing struggle or effort to understand or deal with a complex issue. Ludwig's examples show its widespread application in describing various entities, such as countries, organizations, or individuals, facing challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

7%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has grappled with" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a sustained and often difficult effort to address a problem or understand a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. While alternatives like "has struggled with" or "has contended with" exist, "has grappled with" uniquely conveys a sense of ongoing engagement and complexity. It's commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tone and complexity of the situation to avoid overstating simpler scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has struggled with

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in dealing with something.

has contended with

Highlights the act of arguing or competing against something.

has wrestled with

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle.

has combated

Emphasizes fighting against something negative.

has confronted

Implies facing a challenge directly and actively.

has tackled

Suggests a determined and energetic approach to a problem.

has dealt with

A more general term for handling a situation, without necessarily implying struggle.

has navigated

Highlights the skill and effort needed to move through a difficult situation.

has addressed

Focuses on taking action to solve a problem.

has tried to resolve

Focuses on the attempt to find a solution.

FAQs

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

Use "has grappled with" to describe a sustained effort to understand or overcome a complex problem. For example, "The government "has grappled with" economic inequality for years".

What are some alternatives to "has grappled with"?

You can use alternatives like "has struggled with", "has contended with", or "has wrestled with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "has grappled with" or "dealt with"?

"Has grappled with" implies a more significant and prolonged struggle than "dealt with", which suggests a more straightforward handling of a situation. Choose ""has grappled with"" when you want to emphasize the complexity and difficulty of the issue.

What distinguishes "has grappled with" from "has confronted"?

"Has confronted" suggests directly facing a challenge, while ""has grappled with"" implies a more involved and possibly ongoing struggle to understand or resolve the issue. "Has confronted" highlights the act of facing, whereas ""has grappled with"" emphasizes the process of struggling.