is struggling

USAGE SUMMARY

"is struggling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone is having difficulty with a task or situation. For example, "The family is struggling to make ends meet after losing their jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arsène Wenger is struggling.

Independent

GM is struggling financially.

The Economist

But it is struggling.

The Economist

Private business is struggling.

The Economist

But industry is struggling.

The Economist

Rutgers is struggling.

The New York Times

Jeb Bush is struggling.

Independent

America's economy is struggling.

The Economist

The economy is struggling mightily.

The New York Times

Even so, Blackpool is struggling.

The Economist

Here, the BJP is struggling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is struggling", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is struggling with. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is struggling" without specifying the area of difficulty. Instead of saying "The company is struggling", specify "The company is struggling with its marketing campaign".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is struggling" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing state of difficulty or challenge. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase describes entities facing current hardships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is struggling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing state of difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, as mentioned in the examples. It is important to use the phrase with specific details to avoid ambiguity and to choose it over alternatives like "is failing" based on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is having difficulty

Focuses on the presence of difficulty, a more general term than struggling.

is facing challenges

Highlights the challenges being confronted, emphasizing the obstacles.

is encountering problems

Points out the existence of specific problems, more concrete than general struggles.

is in a difficult situation

Emphasizes the overall state of being in a tough spot.

is finding it hard to cope

Focuses on the ability to manage or deal with a situation.

is battling

Suggests active engagement in overcoming something, often a persistent issue.

is faltering

Implies a loss of strength or momentum, a more passive form of struggling.

is underperforming

Highlights a failure to meet expectations, particularly in measurable areas.

is experiencing setbacks

Focuses on temporary impediments or delays, suggesting a potential for recovery.

is declining

Indicates a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "is struggling" in a sentence?

Use "is struggling" to indicate that someone or something is facing difficulties or challenges. For example, "The student "is struggling" with the math concepts".

What are some alternatives to saying "is struggling"?

You can use alternatives like "is having difficulty", "is facing challenges", or "is encountering problems" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "struggling is" instead of "is struggling"?

While "struggling" can be used as a gerund or participle in different sentence structures, the phrase "is struggling" typically functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing difficulty. Reversing the order is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "is struggling" and "is failing"?

"Is struggling" suggests an ongoing effort despite difficulties, while "is failing" indicates a lack of success or an inability to meet expectations.