struggle doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'struggle doing' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a person is having difficulty or is not succeeding in their attempts to do something. For example: Although he tried hard, he was struggling doing the math problems.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet his second bout of education has been a struggle: "Doing all that studying alongside k a crazy, full-on, full-time job is hardcore.

Independent

She is an effective victim because she can accomplish a tongue-and-cheek narrative about a victim of disease which a narrator would struggle doing unless poking fun at herself.

Nature

"There's a struggle doing on," Obama began, according to his memoir.

Huffington Post

What I find challenging is the fact that the churches catering to people's consumerism and fickle faith fill up on Sundays and become even better at continuing in that vein, while churches without many bells and whistles, like mine, struggle doing everything with fewer hands, meanwhile consoling ourselves with the fact that we do value scripture foremost.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The struggle doesn't end here.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only after a struggle did he reassemble his life.

The New York Times

But this note of struggle didn't dominate the piece.

The New Yorker

Democracy is a struggle, and the struggle does not end.

The New Yorker

Our struggle does not exist in isolation from yours.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Our struggle doesn't end just because the city has a different strategy," Ms. Salaman said.

The New York Times

The struggle does pay off in the end.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's difficulty with an action, using "struggle doing" can add a slightly informal, conversational tone. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "have difficulty doing" or "find it challenging to do".

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "struggle doing" in professional or academic writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Mix it up with more formal options to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle doing" functions as a verbal phrase that describes difficulty or effort in performing a particular action. As Ludwig indicates, this construction is grammatically correct, indicating a person's difficulty in completing a task or activity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggle doing" is grammatically correct, according to Ludwig, and serves to express difficulty in performing an action. While generally acceptable, it is more suited for informal or neutral contexts and should be used judiciously in formal writing. More formal alternatives, such as "have difficulty doing", are advisable for maintaining a professional tone. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science, with limited usage in academic or business settings. Therefore, understanding the context is crucial for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have difficulty doing

Replaces "struggle" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the level of difficulty.

have problems doing

Uses a more direct and straightforward way to convey the issue of difficulty.

find it hard to do

Simplifies the language while retaining the core meaning of experiencing difficulty.

have a hard time doing

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey the sense of difficulty.

experience difficulty in doing

Formalizes the expression while maintaining the concept of facing challenges.

labor to do

Emphasizes the effortful nature of the action, suggesting a strenuous attempt.

strain to do

Highlights the exertion and pressure involved in attempting the task.

be challenged in doing

Presents the action as a challenge, framing the difficulty in a more positive light.

find it challenging to do

Similar to "be challenged in doing", this alternative presents the action as a challenge to overcome.

wrestle with doing

Implies a more intense and prolonged struggle with the action.

FAQs

How can I use "struggle doing" in a sentence?

You can use "struggle doing" to describe someone finding an action difficult. For example, "He was "struggling doing" the assignment because he didn't understand the instructions."

What are some alternatives to "struggle doing"?

Alternatives include "have difficulty doing", "find it hard to do", or "have a hard time doing", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "struggle doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "struggle doing" is grammatically correct, though it is often perceived as slightly informal. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

When is it best to avoid using "struggle doing"?

In highly formal or academic writing, it's often better to opt for alternatives like "experience difficulty in doing" or "find it challenging to do" to maintain a more professional tone.