left me struggling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left me struggling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone feels challenged or unable to cope due to circumstances or actions of others. Example: "The sudden changes in the project requirements left me struggling to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But it's left me struggling to pay some bills over the next few months.

Independent

My lack of academic preparation left me struggling with my course work.

The New York Times

I had a traumatic first birth and my baby was in neonatal care, which left me struggling with what I know now to be PTSD and perinatal anxiety.

The Guardian - Opinion

Emma, Midlands I had a traumatic first birth and my baby was in neonatal care, which left me struggling with what I know now to be PTSD and perinatal anxiety.

The Guardian - Opinion

A week of disturbed sleep had left me struggling.

Vice

The observation without a reflective conversation left me struggling alone to remedy my instruction.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was squashing my lungs, leaving me struggling to breathe.

The New York Times - Health

Although he has never said so, I sense he's proud of me, of the choices I've made, but I also know he must wonder what leaves me uninterested in a life at the place, leaves me struggling in a career that offers nothing like the guarantees of the family business.

The New York Times - Magazine

But after they savor my surprise and accept my hugs, they skate or bike home, leaving me behind struggling to catch up.

The New York Times

Like most people I know, I'm continually trying to reach a healthier balance and to not succumb so easily to bad habits that leave me perpetually struggling to catch up.

Los Angeles Times

My conversation with the boy and his father had left me unsettled and I struggled to reconcile with the reality of what I was presented.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left me struggling", ensure the context clearly identifies what caused the struggle. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the cause that led to the struggle. Vague or implied causes can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left me struggling" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, detailing the consequence of a preceding action or situation. Ludwig AI validates its use in expressing personal hardship or challenges resulting from external factors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left me struggling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe the difficulties experienced as a consequence of a particular situation. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase serves to highlight the challenges faced by individuals due to external factors. While the expression is valid and widely used, writers should ensure clarity by explicitly stating the cause of the struggle. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "caused me considerable difficulty" or "presented me with significant challenges" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused me to struggle

Emphasizes the direct causation of the struggle.

made it difficult for me

Highlights the difficulty encountered by the speaker.

created challenges for me

Focuses on the challenges that arose.

resulted in my hardship

Stresses the hardship experienced as an outcome.

put me in a difficult position

Indicates being placed in an awkward or problematic situation.

led to my having a hard time

Highlights a period of difficulty.

presented me with difficulties

Focuses on the presentation of challenges.

forced me to grapple with

Emphasizes the act of confronting and dealing with difficulties.

placed me at a disadvantage

Indicates being put in an unfavorable situation.

caused me considerable trouble

Highlights the amount of trouble experienced.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "left me struggling" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "caused me considerable difficulty" or "presented me with significant challenges". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

What are some common situations where one might say "left me struggling"?

This phrase is often used when discussing financial difficulties, academic challenges, or emotional distress caused by specific events or circumstances.

Is "left me struggling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "left me struggling" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a verb ("left") followed by an object pronoun ("me") and a present participle ("struggling") acting as an adjective.

What's the difference between "left me struggling" and "left me in a struggle"?

While both phrases suggest a difficult situation, "left me struggling" implies an ongoing state of effort and difficulty. "left me in a struggle" suggests being placed into a singular, defined conflict or challenge.