personal strife

USAGE SUMMARY

'personal strife' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a situation of difficulty in someone's personal life. For example: After years of personal strife, she finally found peace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Stier discounted reports of personal strife among the owners.

The New York Times - Sports

For Milton, the rupture of the Civil Wars coincided with a more personal strife.

The New Yorker

They are full of personal strife between the singer and her men, or sometimes within herself.

The New York Times

In interviews, Mr. Muti has stressed an underlying bitterness, born of the composer's long lifetime of personal strife and loss.

The New York Times - Arts

From the other perspective, north of the border, Mexico is often seen a place to escape into, from trouble, imprisonment or personal strife.

The Guardian - Music

By its end the book builds into an affecting account of a family's struggle to survive the vicissitudes of political and personal strife, but compared with "Lolita" it can make for somewhat claustrophobic reading.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Eventually, and inevitably, the pair embark on an unfussy affair which both seem to crave as a method of burying their separate griefs: Jim's, a separation marred by death, and Evangeline's long list of personal strifes.

Independent

Cummings wrote the majority of the lyrics, which are about personal strifes and how people overcome them.

Wikipedia

The novel, which appeared after a 14-year silence, is a tale of personal trouble and strife.

The Guardian

Like his heroes Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder, he can sing about personal and political strife without losing his essential optimism.

The Guardian - Music

Their words and thoughts helped mediate the day-to-day encounters between students and staff, illuminating the realms of the personal and interpersonal strife and confusion.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's difficulties, consider the level of formality required; "personal strife" is suitable for news, articles, and formal writing, but may be too strong for casual conversation. Instead, opt for "private struggles".

Common error

Avoid using "personal strife" to describe political or social conflicts. It specifically refers to difficulties within an individual's life, not large-scale disputes. Instead, use "political unrest" or "social conflict" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal strife" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it describes a period or situation marked by difficulty, conflict, or struggle in someone's individual life. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal strife" is a grammatically sound and relatively common noun phrase used to describe periods of difficulty or conflict in an individual's life. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific publications, it carries a neutral tone, fitting formal to semi-formal contexts. When using the term, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects individual challenges rather than broader social or political issues. For alternative phrasing, consider "private struggles" or "individual hardships".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private struggles

Focuses on the internal, individual aspect of difficulties.

individual hardships

Emphasizes the difficult conditions experienced by a person.

domestic troubles

Highlights problems specifically within a home or family context.

family discord

Specifically relates to a lack of agreement or harmony within a family.

private adversity

Refers to unfavorable or difficult situations in a person's life that is not public.

personal adversity

Highlights unfavorable or difficult situations in a person's life.

individual misfortune

Emphasizes the bad luck or unfortunate circumstances faced by an individual.

private battles

Emphasizes the effort to overcome difficulties that remain hidden from the outside world.

personal challenges

A more neutral term, highlighting difficulties that require effort to overcome.

inner turmoil

Highlights the internal, emotional distress and agitation.

FAQs

How can I use "personal strife" in a sentence?

You can use "personal strife" to describe difficult or troubled times in someone's private life. For example: "After years of "personal strife", she finally found peace".

What are some alternatives to "personal strife"?

Alternatives include "private struggles", "individual hardships", or "domestic troubles", depending on the specific context.

Is "personal strife" formal or informal?

"Personal strife" is generally considered suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, or professional writing. In more informal settings, you might prefer "private struggles" or "personal troubles".

What's the difference between "personal strife" and "political strife"?

"Personal strife" refers to difficulties within an individual's life, while "political strife" describes conflict or discord within a political context. Using them interchangeably would be incorrect.