scrambling to

USAGE SUMMARY

"scrambling to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a hurried or frantic effort to accomplish something. Example: "She was scrambling to finish her report before the deadline." Alternative expressions include "rushing to," "hurrying to," and "fighting to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Governments are scrambling to keep up.

The New Yorker

Laggards are scrambling to attract the rest.

The Economist

Other airlines are scrambling to catch up.

The Economist

Libraries have been scrambling to catch up.

The New York Times - Tech

Researchers have been scrambling to find out.

The New York Times - Health

Local banks are scrambling to respond.

The Economist

And science is scrambling to catch up.

The New York Times

Everybody's scrambling to get paid.

The New York Times

They're scrambling to meet their basic needs".

The New York Times

Publishers have been scrambling to improve circulation.

The New York Times

Banks are also scrambling to raise cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrambling to" to vividly depict situations where individuals or groups are reacting quickly and somewhat haphazardly to meet a pressing need or deadline. It is most effective when you want to convey a sense of urgency and perhaps a lack of preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "scrambling to" in overly formal or professional writing where a more composed tone is expected. Alternatives such as "striving to" or "endeavoring to" may be more appropriate for maintaining a professional image.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scrambling to" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action characterized by haste, urgency, and sometimes a lack of organization. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, it often describes efforts to respond quickly to a problem or meet a deadline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scrambling to" is a versatile verbal phrase used to depict hurried and sometimes disorganized efforts to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it effectively conveys urgency, its informality may make it less suitable for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "rushing to" or "striving to" depending on the desired tone and context. The phrase’s prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its widespread acceptance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rushing to

Implies a quicker pace and possibly less organization compared to "scrambling to".

hurrying to

Suggests a need for speed, but might not capture the frantic nature of "scrambling to".

striving to

Focuses more on the effort being exerted rather than the disarray implied by "scrambling".

endeavoring to

More formal and emphasizes the attempt or effort rather than the urgency.

struggling to

Highlights the difficulty of the task more than the speed of the attempt.

working hard to

Emphasizes the effort being put in, but lacks the sense of urgency or panic.

racing to

Implies a competitive element or a race against time that might not be present in all uses of "scrambling to".

hustling to

Suggests energetic effort and a sense of urgency, often in a business or entrepreneurial context.

making every effort to

Formal and emphasizes the commitment to achieving a goal, but lacks the frantic or disorganized connotation.

seeking to

Focuses on the pursuit of a goal rather than the urgent or chaotic nature of the attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "scrambling to" in a sentence?

Use "scrambling to" to describe situations where there is a hurried, often disorganized effort to achieve something, for example, "The team was scrambling to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "scrambling to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rushing to", "hurrying to", or "striving to".

When is it appropriate to use "scrambling to"?

It is appropriate to use "scrambling to" when you want to emphasize the urgency and potential disarray in an attempt to achieve a goal, often implying a reactive rather than proactive approach.

Is "scrambling to" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "scrambling to" may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "endeavoring to" or "striving to" for a more professional tone.