it struggles with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it struggles with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is having difficulty dealing with a particular issue or challenge. Example: "The organization struggles with maintaining its funding amidst economic downturns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As Vietnam continues to try to reinvent its system, it struggles with the concern that a more open economy could threaten the Communist Party's grip on political control.

The New York Times

As it struggles with its greatest ever humanitarian test, the EU is in danger of being wrenched apart.

Independent

May 2009: Toyota reports the worst results in its history as it struggles with the global economic crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Further neglect of Somalia as it struggles with its worst food security crisis in 20 years will bring only further insecurity to the entire region.

The New York Times

But investors are also concerned that, if several governments try to tighten fiscal policy at once, the global economy will take a hit.Europe is expected to experience sluggish growth in the medium term as it struggles with its debts.

The Economist

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford is selling some of its brands as it struggles with continuing losses.

Forbes

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford is considering the sales of some of its brands as it struggles with continuing losses (See “Ford Motors, Bad but Not GM Bad”).

Forbes

And McDonald's needs a turnaround specialist as it struggles with its image, assailed by meat scandals in Asia, low-wage protests, legal cases over racism and tough fast food competition and falling profits.

BBC

Critics of the arrangement have complained that the country has not made sufficient progress in doing so, even as it struggles with its own internal Taliban insurgency.

Vice

The group's board members dismissed concerns that the rapid movement of students to charters could lead to a financial crisis in L.A. Unified, shrinking its budget as it struggles with long-term pension and healthcare obligations.

Los Angeles Times

BellSouth said yesterday that it planned to cut 4,000 to 5,000 jobs, or as much as 6percentt of its work force, as it struggles with a weak economy and tougher competition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it struggles with", ensure that the subject ("it") is clearly defined and its connection to the struggle is evident in the context. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid attributing the struggle to vague or abstract concepts. Instead, specify the precise issue or obstacle with which "it" is contending. For instance, instead of saying "the project struggles with progress", clarify it as "the project struggles with resource allocation" or "the project struggles with unclear objectives".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it struggles with" functions as a verb phrase expressing the subject's difficulty or challenge in dealing with something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase highlights an ongoing effort against an obstacle. This is supported by numerous examples where various entities are described as contending with specific hardships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it struggles with" is a versatile expression used to describe a subject's difficulty in handling a particular issue or challenge. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject and the cause of the struggle are clearly identified. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "it contends with" or "it grapples with" may be more suitable. While "it struggles with" conveys ongoing effort, it's distinct from "it fails at", which suggests a lack of success. By understanding these nuances, you can use the phrase effectively to add depth and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it grapples with

Replaces "struggles" with "grapples", emphasizing a more active and engaged effort to overcome the difficulty.

it wrestles with

Substitutes "struggles" with "wrestles", implying a more intense and prolonged conflict with the issue.

it contends with

Replaces "struggles" with "contends", suggesting a more formal and argumentative engagement with the challenge.

it has difficulty with

Offers a more straightforward and less figurative way of expressing the same idea.

it faces challenges with

Highlights the presence of challenges rather than the act of struggling.

it encounters problems with

Focuses on the occurrence of problems as the main obstacle.

it is challenged by

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself and its impact on the subject.

it finds it hard to

Provides a more generic and less intense description of the difficulty.

it has a hard time with

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate the presence of difficulty.

it battles against

Implies a more adversarial and forceful struggle against something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it struggles with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it contends with", "it grapples with", or "it encounters difficulties in". These alternatives lend a more serious and professional tone to your writing.

What's a simpler way to say "it struggles with"?

Simpler alternatives include "it has difficulty with", "it finds it hard to", or "it has trouble with". These options are more conversational and easier to understand.

In what situations is it best to use "it struggles with"?

"It struggles with" is effective when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort and difficulty a subject faces while trying to overcome a challenge. It is suitable for describing prolonged or significant challenges, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

What's the difference between "it struggles with" and "it fails at"?

"It struggles with" implies an ongoing effort despite difficulty, suggesting that the subject is still trying. In contrast, "it fails at" suggests a lack of success or a complete inability to achieve a goal. The former indicates persistence, while the latter indicates a lack of success.