less of a struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

'less of a struggle' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is easier to do or less difficult to deal with than it was previously. For example: "With the extra help, I'm finding the assignment less of a struggle".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Simplification will make these procedures more patient-friendly and less of a struggle.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

It's less of a struggle with the meat, and in the end it's safer.

The New York Times

"The relationship to grandchildren is lighter, less of a struggle, less responsible, I suppose".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But today, there is less of a struggle to survive in the South than in New York.

The New York Times

And with the old foliage gone, the new spring growth will have much less of a struggle in getting started.

The New York Times

The time out cleared my head and thus my writing became better and the process was less of a struggle.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It was exciting and productive, but it wasn't easy, and eventually we wanted life to be less of a constant struggle.

The New York Times

It is unclear how he can visit cuts and privations on disabled people and parents of disabled people who – unlike him – lack the funds to make that heartbreaking and horrendous situation less of a practical struggle.

The Guardian - Opinion

She sees moral dilemmas everywhere and, of course, there are moral dilemmas everywhere, only most of us prefer not to see them as such and simply accept the little evasions, equivocations, and compromises that soften the fabric of social life, that grease the machinery of living and working, that make reality less of a constant struggle with ourselves and with others.

The New Yorker

All I know is that it would have been less of an uphill struggle if I'd done this course when I was starting out".

The Guardian

Because jihad is closely associated with the early spread of Islam, today's debate about the origin and meaning of jihad is nothing less than a struggle over Islam itself.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a struggle", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the reduced effort or difficulty. For example, it is best suited when comparing a current situation to a previous, more challenging one.

Common error

Avoid using "less of a struggle" when describing something that was never difficult to begin with. This can create a confusing or inaccurate impression. Instead, use it to highlight a genuine improvement or reduction in difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a struggle" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state or condition characterized by reduced difficulty or effort. As noted by Ludwig, it correctly communicates a comparative ease.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less of a struggle" effectively communicates a reduction in difficulty or effort, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts, from news reports to academic research. While the phrase is considered valid, it's important to use it accurately to describe actual improvements. Alternatives include "easier to manage", "less challenging", or "not as difficult", each offering subtly different shades of meaning. Overall, "less of a struggle" is a useful and well-understood expression for conveying comparative ease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as difficult

A straightforward way of saying something is easier.

requires less effort

Directly states that a smaller amount of effort is needed.

less challenging

Highlights the reduction in difficulty or complexity.

not as strenuous

Highlights the lower level of effort or exertion required.

easier to manage

Focuses on the manageability aspect, implying that the task or situation requires less effort to control.

more manageable

Emphasizes the increased ease of handling or dealing with something.

less taxing

Indicates a decrease in the mental or physical demand of something.

more straightforward

Indicates a simpler and more direct approach is now possible.

simpler to overcome

Highlights the ease with which a problem or obstacle can be resolved.

less arduous

Suggests the task is not as strenuous or laborious.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a struggle" to indicate that something is easier to do or deal with compared to before. For example, "With the new software, the task is "less of a struggle" than it used to be."

What are some alternatives to "less of a struggle"?

Alternatives include "easier to manage", "less challenging", or "not as difficult", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less of a struggle" or should I use "fewer of a struggle"?

"Less of a struggle" is the correct phrase to use. "Struggle" is generally treated as a singular, abstract concept, making "less" the appropriate quantifier.

What's the difference between "less of a struggle" and "easier"?

"Easier" is a more general term indicating reduced difficulty. "Less of a struggle" implies that there was a previous struggle, and now it's reduced. "Less of a struggle" emphasizes the contrast between past and present difficulty, which isn't necessarily present when saying something is just "easier".