he grapples with

USAGE SUMMARY

"he grapples with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone struggling to understand or deal with a difficult issue or problem. Example: "He grapples with the complexities of modern technology." Alternative expressions include "he struggles with" and "he wrestles with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He grapples with questions like, What makes someone Jewish?

The New York Times - Books

All as he grapples with raising the U.S. debt ceiling early in 2013.

The New York Times

It will emerge as he grapples with the economy, energy and America's role in the world.

The New York Times

"It's something he grapples with, and he's been writing a journal.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Walcott's last collection contains some of his finest poetry as he grapples with his own mortality.

The Economist

On "The Whole Love" he grapples with self-doubt and self-acceptance, and finds a refuge in love.

The New York Times - Arts

At 46, he grapples with athletes half his age and usually gives them all they can handle.

The New York Times

He grapples with the same esthetic issues that have preoccupied thinkers since Plato, and in the same terms.

The New York Times - Books

He grapples with paradoxes and conundrums, or he discloses mysteries, sometimes by the mere juxtaposition of gestures.

The New York Times

He grapples with his desire to help her and his fear that his actions might be misinterpreted.

The New York Times

A devil and angel appear on Larry's shoulders, as he grapples with the idea of raping her unconscious body.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he grapples with", ensure the object of the preposition is something complex or challenging. Using it with simple tasks diminishes its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "he grapples with" for trivial or everyday situations. It's best reserved for scenarios where genuine intellectual or emotional effort is involved. For simple problems use "he deals with" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he grapples with" functions as a verb phrase that expresses the action of struggling or dealing with something difficult, complex, or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he grapples with" effectively conveys the idea of someone struggling with a challenging issue, as validated by Ludwig. It’s grammatically correct and frequently used in news, academic, and formal contexts. While versatile, it is more appropriate for complex situations rather than trivial matters. Alternative phrases include "he struggles with" and "he wrestles with", offering nuanced ways to express the same core concept. This phrase, according to Ludwig AI, is commonly used and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he wrestles with

Replaces "grapples" with "wrestles", emphasizing a more active struggle.

he struggles with

Substitutes "grapples" with "struggles", highlighting difficulty.

he contends with

Uses "contends" instead of "grapples", suggesting a debate or argument.

he wrestles with the problem

Adds the direct object "the problem" for clarity, still implying a struggle.

he grapples to understand

Specifies the objective of his grappling.

he grapples with the complexities of

Adds a more specific description of what he is grappling with.

he deals with

Replaces "grapples" with "deals", indicating a handling of the issue.

he confronts

A more direct synonym, suggesting facing a challenge directly.

he faces

Emphasizes the act of encountering a difficulty.

he is challenged by

Shifts the focus to the source of the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "he grapples with" mean?

The phrase "he grapples with" means he is struggling to understand, solve, or come to terms with something complex or challenging. It implies a degree of intellectual or emotional effort.

What can I say instead of "he grapples with"?

You can use alternatives like "he wrestles with", "he struggles with", or "he contends with" depending on the specific context.

Is "he grapples with" formal or informal?

"He grapples with" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in formal writing or speech where a more nuanced expression of struggle is desired.

How do I use "he grapples with" in a sentence?

You can use "he grapples with" to describe someone's internal or external struggle. For example, "He grapples with the ethical implications of the new technology", or "He grapples with his past traumas".