has struggled with

USAGE SUMMARY

"has struggled with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which someone has had difficulty dealing with something. For example: "John has struggled with math since he started school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I know he has struggled with that.

The New York Times - Sports

"The market has struggled with that question".

The New York Times

He has struggled with his junior ministers.

The New York Times

India has struggled with sanitation for decades.

The New York Times

The government has struggled with its response.

The New York Times

"She has struggled with some memory loss.

The New York Times

Roberts has struggled with consistency.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Yusuf has struggled with all this.

The New York Times

Mickelson has struggled with his putting.

The New York Times - Sports

He has struggled with his back.

The New Yorker

United has struggled with customer service issues.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has struggled with" to clearly and concisely indicate ongoing difficulty or challenges in a specific area. It provides a straightforward way to communicate that someone or something is facing problems.

Common error

Avoid using "has struggled with" when more precise language can better describe the nature of the difficulty. Specificity enhances clarity and strengthens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has struggled with" functions as a stative verb phrase indicating a prolonged period of difficulty or challenge experienced by the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It describes an ongoing state of dealing with adversity, as seen in examples like "India has struggled with sanitation for decades."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has struggled with" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something has faced ongoing challenges or difficulties. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a versatile phrase, consider using more specific language when possible to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "has had difficulty with" or "has faced challenges with" can provide nuanced options. Remember to tailor your word choice to the specific context and desired tone. Ludwig's extensive examples demonstrate the breadth of its applicability, making it a reliable phrase for expressing ongoing difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has had difficulty with

Replaces "struggled" with a more general term for difficulty.

has found it difficult to

Emphasizes the difficulty experienced in relation to something specific.

has faced challenges with

Substitutes "struggled" with the idea of facing challenges.

has encountered problems with

Replaces "struggled" with a direct reference to encountering problems.

has grappled with

Uses a more evocative verb, "grappled", to indicate a serious struggle.

has wrestled with

Similar to "grappled", but with a connotation of ongoing effort.

has contended with

Indicates a persistent struggle or opposition.

has had issues with

Uses a more informal term, "issues", instead of "struggled".

has labored with

Implies a laborious and sustained effort to overcome difficulties.

has been challenged by

Focuses on being challenged by something rather than actively struggling.

FAQs

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

Use "has struggled with" to indicate that someone or something has experienced difficulty or challenges in a particular area. For example, "The company "has struggled with" declining sales".

What are some alternatives to "has struggled with"?

You can use alternatives like "has had difficulty with", "has faced challenges with", or "has grappled with" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has struggled with" in formal writing?

Yes, "has struggled with" is appropriate in formal writing, although alternatives like "has encountered problems with" might be preferred in some contexts for a slightly more professional tone.

What's the difference between "has struggled with" and "has battled with"?

"Has struggled with" generally implies ongoing difficulty, while "has battled with" suggests a more active and intense confrontation with the problem. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.