initial struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the first difficulties or challenges faced in a particular situation or process. Example: "The initial struggle to adapt to the new software was challenging, but eventually, the team became proficient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Noticing his initial struggle with the temperature, Donegan would move him closer to the heater.

The New York Times - Sports

Her first cookbook, Sichuan Cookery, came out in 2001, after an initial struggle with publishers who thought it "too regional".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the initial struggle to find a standard bearer, Labour came up with a feisty candidate well known in the constituency.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Colors of sad and sweet," Airoldi apparently wrote to his fellow founders, reflecting the results of the initial struggle to field a team to carry Palermo's aspirations.

The New York Times - Sports

Although Le Guin won many awards during her lifetime, the documentary – which will premiere on 10 June at the Sheffield Doc/Fest – reveals her initial struggle to be published.

The Guardian - Books

These sounds are cleverly represented in the text as alien letters or characters, a technique that lends veracity to the initial struggle Peter has in communicating with his flock.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

After initial struggles, private equity firms are way up on the learning curve.

The New York Times

Despite initial struggles on navigating the Brahmaputra River, we have worked together with the ship's crew and pilots for a successful method.

Columbia University

We found that initial struggles to implement land management informed by prior urban lifestyles saw landholders turn to experiential learning to fill a void of understanding about ecological processes and management practice.

Landscape and Urban Planning

We've found it helps students understand that it's normal to struggle at first in college — it's hard — but for most people those initial struggles are short-lived, and there are lots of resources to help you.

Stanford University

She read an essay, called "The Trimesters," that she had written ten years earlier about her initial struggles coping with her duel roles as doctor and to-be mother.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial struggle", provide context by specifying what the struggle pertains to, such as "the initial struggle with the new software" or "the initial struggle to learn the language".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of the "initial struggle" without providing sufficient context or demonstrating how it was overcome. This can lead to a disproportionate focus on the negative aspects of a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial struggle" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes the early challenges faced in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial struggle" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe the difficulties encountered at the beginning of a process or endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using the phrase, it's helpful to provide specific details about the nature of the struggle to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "early challenge" or "first hurdle" exist, "initial struggle" effectively highlights the temporal aspect of facing difficulties at the outset. The analysis reveals that it is used in neutral register being suitable for different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early challenge

Focuses on the difficulty as a challenge to overcome, emphasizing the positive aspect of growth.

beginning difficulty

Directly refers to the trouble encountered at the start.

first hurdle

Highlights the initial obstacle that needs to be overcome to proceed.

starting trouble

Simple and direct way to describe the problem at the commencement.

preliminary setback

Suggests a temporary delay or reversal at the outset.

early adversity

Highlights the unfortunate conditions or situations at the beginning.

initial adversity

Highlights the unfortunate conditions or situations at the beginning.

incipient hardship

Emphasizes the emerging or just beginning nature of the difficulty, sounding more formal.

foundational challenge

Emphasizes that the difficulty is related to the base or beginning stages.

basic problem

Focuses on the essential or fundamental difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial struggle" to describe the first difficulties faced when starting something new, such as "The company faced an "initial struggle" to gain market share".

What are some alternatives to "initial struggle"?

Some alternatives include "early challenge", "first hurdle", or "beginning difficulty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "initial struggle" or "early struggle"?

Both "initial struggle" and "early struggle" are acceptable, but "initial struggle" specifically emphasizes the very first challenges encountered, while "early struggle" is a bit more general.

What's the difference between "initial struggle" and "ongoing struggle"?

"Initial struggle" refers to the difficulties at the beginning of a process or situation, while "ongoing struggle" describes a continuous or prolonged period of difficulty.