juggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'juggle' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "manage or balance a number of tasks, activities, and/or sources of information" or "throwing and catching objects in the air at the same time". For example, "I have to juggle my job, school, and family responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monroe might still be a well-paid call handler for Essex fire service had she not resigned because she could no longer juggle night shifts and motherhood.

The Guardian

She could face down the kind of male bullying that often intimidates women in the workplace, and was clearly managing admirably to juggle family and her high-powered job.

The Guardian

And that will no doubt please the leadership, which has to juggle rigorous internal policy debate (sometimes disagreement) with the challenges of striking deals with the Conservatives on every government action.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cooled by a floor fan, nurses, doctors and support staff in blue scrubs move through the small anteroom next to the isolation ward to juggle the needs of the desperately ill patients inside as a stream of people knock on the canvas door asking for updates on their loved ones.

The Guardian

I manage to juggle family and work commitments because Tom and I coordinate our diaries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The juggle is hard work, but she's said that when she's home, and with daughter Alex, the phone goes unanswered.

The Guardian

So when time is so scarce, how can you juggle classroom tuition with management responsibilities?

The Guardian

This middle tier is taking on greater responsibility for the day-to-day running of their schools, while trying to juggle team management and a teaching timetable.

The Guardian

I, like many people, juggle bringing up kids while working and coordinating various activities of the people in my family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While deciding to juggle a sporting and academic career may elicit concern from worried tutors, the examples provided by Commonwealth Games-standard athletes like Belton and Treharne show that, with commitment and the right attitude, it is possible to maintain stellar quality in both.

The Guardian

If you're a working mum, you have to juggle a lot of responsibilities – children, a career, the home and relationships.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "juggle" in the context of managing multiple responsibilities, ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being juggled to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "juggle" when the tasks are sequential rather than simultaneous. "Juggle" implies handling multiple things concurrently, not one after the other.

Linguistic Context

The word "juggle" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of managing multiple tasks or objects simultaneously. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its application in contexts such as managing work, family, and other commitments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "juggle" is a versatile verb used to describe managing multiple tasks or objects simultaneously. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The examples show that "juggle" accurately describes the act of handling many things at once, often implying a need for skill and balance. When using "juggle", make sure to clarify what is being managed to prevent confusion. Alternatives such as "manage multiple tasks" or "balance competing priorities" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage multiple tasks

Focuses specifically on the task management aspect, excluding the literal object manipulation.

balance competing priorities

Emphasizes the need to find equilibrium among different demands.

handle various responsibilities

Highlights the act of dealing with different obligations.

coordinate several activities

Stresses the organization and synchronization of different actions.

multi-task effectively

Focuses on the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time efficiently.

deal with many things at once

A more general way of expressing the management of simultaneous tasks.

cope with diverse demands

Highlights the ability to handle a variety of requests or needs.

contend with numerous issues

Focuses on addressing multiple problems or challenges.

maneuver complex situations

Implies navigating challenging circumstances with skill.

orchestrate multiple projects

Emphasizes the careful planning and execution of several undertakings.

FAQs

How can I use "juggle" in a sentence?

You can use "juggle" to describe managing multiple tasks or objects at once. For example, "She had to "juggle" work, family, and her studies".

What can I say instead of "juggle"?

Alternatives include "manage multiple tasks", "balance competing priorities", or "handle various responsibilities" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone is "juggling" their responsibilities?

Yes, it's a common and correct usage. It implies they are managing several responsibilities, often with some difficulty or effort.

What's the difference between "juggle" and "balance" in the context of managing tasks?

"Juggle" implies handling multiple tasks simultaneously, while "balance" ("balance competing priorities") suggests distributing effort and resources appropriately among different tasks.