it would struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is likely to have difficulty or face challenges in achieving a goal or performing a task. Example: "Without proper funding, the project would struggle to meet its deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But even if it had been talked up like its predecessors, it would struggle for our attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an interview with the Guardian in July, given when the charity still expected to continue in reduced form rather than close, the charity's then chief executive, Camila Batmanghelidjh, warned that cutting its services would mean it would struggle to meet the needs of the vulnerable kids it worked with.

The Guardian

The cuts will be made at plants outside its home market.Pearson, a British media group (and owner of 50% of The Economist), said it would struggle to hit its profits targets for the year.

The Economist

In recent days, the Lebanese army has proven more assertive than in the past in keeping a lid on violence, but if skirmishes escalated to higher levels then it would struggle to stamp its authority.

BBC

It would struggle terribly to serve its citizens without hands-on help from foreigners.The president, Hamid Karzai, has been lurching erratically through his last months in power.

The Economist

It is one of the biggest cities in the world, and without groundwater it would struggle to provide water to its more than 20 million inhabitants.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Speaking personally, that someone close to me could become a victim of sexual abuse is intolerable to contemplate and if it were to occur I would struggle to feel anything other than a desire for vengeance against the offender.

Crime Science

I'm lucky, I've got a nice day job but without it I'd struggle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Businesses do need the labour, without it they would struggle to do what they need to do, so yes it is potentially a lower cost base," he says.

BBC

Without the Capital Challenge and Wigan's ongoing commitment to it, Skolars would struggle to make ends meet.

The Guardian - Sport

Or was it both?" They would struggle over these issues, but Mr. Flores said that each one had a personal choice: many of his friends went to college, some became b-boys and rappers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would struggle" to clearly convey that something is likely to experience difficulty or face challenges in achieving a particular outcome. Ensure that the context makes it clear what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it would struggle" when the referent of "it" is ambiguous or unclear in the context. Always ensure the subject is clearly defined to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would struggle" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a conditional or hypothetical statement about an entity's ability to succeed. Ludwig AI indicates it is a correct and usable phrase. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing potential difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

9%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would struggle" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey that something is likely to face challenges or encounter difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in a wide array of contexts, particularly within News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the referent of "it" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "it would have difficulty" or "it would face challenges" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would have difficulty

Replaces "struggle" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the presence of difficulty.

it would face challenges

Substitutes "struggle" with "face challenges", highlighting the act of confronting obstacles.

it would find it hard

Uses a more informal expression to convey the difficulty.

it would have a hard time

Offers a more colloquial way of expressing difficulty.

it would be hard-pressed

Employs a more emphatic phrase to suggest significant difficulty.

it would be an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical phrase to describe a difficult and prolonged effort.

it would labor

Uses a more formal and literary term to describe the effort required.

it would be challenged

Uses a passive voice to emphasize the external forces causing difficulty.

it would be a challenge

Simplifies the phrase to a more general statement about difficulty.

it would be strained

Suggests that resources or abilities would be pushed to their limit.

FAQs

How can I use "it would struggle" in a sentence?

Use "it would struggle" to indicate that something will likely encounter difficulties or challenges in achieving a specific goal. For example, "Without sufficient funding, the project "it would struggle" to meet its objectives."

What are some alternatives to "it would struggle"?

You can use alternatives like "it would have difficulty", "it would face challenges", or "it would find it hard", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it will struggle" instead of "it would struggle"?

Yes, "it will struggle" is grammatically correct. "It would struggle" implies a conditional or hypothetical situation, while "it will struggle" expresses a future certainty. Choose the tense that best fits the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "it would struggle" and "it would be difficult"?

"It would struggle" emphasizes the process of facing challenges, while "it would be difficult" focuses on the inherent difficulty of the task. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effort or the inherent challenge.