is grappling with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is grappling with' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it is used to refer to when someone is dealing with a difficult situation or challenge. For example: The small company is grappling with a cash flow crisis due to the economic downturn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

India is grappling with this question.

The Economist

Nearly everyone is grappling with enormous grief.

The New York Times

Look at what it is grappling with".

The New Yorker

Now, Ms. White is grappling with her own guilt.

The New York Times

Besides transmission, Texas is grappling with other wind-related issues.

The New York Times

Hirofumi Fukatsu is grappling with that question firsthand.

The New York Times

Her own family is grappling with upheaval as well.

The Guardian

Rio is grappling with a resurgence of violent crime.

The New York Times - Sports

The firehouse is grappling with training and assimilating recruits.

The New York Times

The Swedish company is grappling with a slowdown in investment by large cellphone carriers.

The New York Times - Tech

Yemen's central government is grappling with a number of armed groups aside from Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is grappling with" to convey the sense of actively struggling with a complex problem or challenge. It suggests more than just 'dealing with' and implies a significant effort to overcome it.

Common error

Avoid using "is grappling with" when a simpler phrase like "is handling" or "is managing" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is grappling with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing effort to deal with a difficult situation or challenge. As noted by Ludwig AI, it suggests actively contending with a problem. Examples show its usage in various contexts, from economic downturns to political instability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is grappling with" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of actively struggling with a complex problem or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of intensity and ongoing effort. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in simple situations where more straightforward phrasing would suffice. Consider related alternatives like "is struggling with" or "is contending with" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is struggling with

Substitutes 'grappling' with 'struggling', implying a difficult effort to overcome something.

is wrestling with

Substitutes 'grappling' with 'wrestling', emphasizing a difficult and ongoing struggle.

is contending with

Replaces 'grappling' with 'contending', suggesting a struggle or competition.

is tackling

Replaces 'grappling' with 'tackling', implying a direct and active approach to a problem.

is dealing with

Replaces 'grappling' with 'dealing', suggesting a more general handling of a situation.

is confronting

Uses 'confronting' instead of 'grappling', suggesting a direct and often challenging encounter.

is facing

Uses 'facing' instead of 'grappling', indicating confrontation with a challenge.

is encountering

Substitutes 'grappling' with 'encountering', highlighting the experience of facing difficulties.

is negotiating

Replaces 'grappling' with 'negotiating', implying an attempt to find a solution through discussion.

is managing

Uses 'managing' instead of 'grappling', indicating an effort to control or handle a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "is grappling with" in a sentence?

"Is grappling with" is used to describe actively struggling with a difficult problem. For example, "The company "is grappling with" declining sales".

What are some alternatives to "is grappling with"?

Alternatives include "is struggling with", "is contending with", or "is dealing with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is grappling with" in formal writing?

Yes, "is grappling with" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing significant challenges or complex problems. It is frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What is the difference between "is grappling with" and "is facing"?

"Is facing" implies encountering a situation, while "is grappling with" suggests a more active and difficult struggle to overcome it. The phrase "is grappling with" conveys a more intense and ongoing effort.