struggle for power

USAGE SUMMARY

"struggle for power" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which there is competition or conflict for authority or control. For example: "The struggle for power between the two kingdoms eventually led to war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The struggle for power has not ended.

The New York Times

The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia.

The Economist

But it would be preferable to an open struggle for power in the country.

The New York Times

"What is likely to happen is a struggle for power," he said.

Independent

There is no struggle for power — because there is no power to have".

The New Yorker

They're engaged in a classic struggle for power — for now against weak, ineffectual, and cowardly opposition.

The New Yorker

The struggle for power sharing — and lasting peace — in Northern Ireland has been long and bloody.

The New York Times

In the meantime, the starting gun has been fired on Labour's own struggle for power.

The Guardian - Opinion

She matured in an atmosphere of intrigue and struggle for power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He sees that human beings are all involved in a terrible struggle for power.

The New Yorker

The Syria war is a struggle for power, not democracy, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle for power" to accurately describe situations where different entities or individuals are vying for control or authority. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is struggling and what power they seek.

Common error

Avoid using "struggle for power" when a simpler term like "disagreement" or "competition" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make minor conflicts seem overly dramatic or important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle for power" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a situation or event characterized by competition or conflict over authority and control, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle for power" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes scenarios involving competition or conflict over authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Related phrases like ""conflict for power"" or "competition for power" offer subtle variations in meaning. While the phrase is versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in situations where simpler language would suffice. Whether you're analyzing political dynamics or interpersonal relationships, "struggle for power" provides a concise and effective way to depict the vying for control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

power struggle

Inverts the phrase to "power struggle", a common variation with the same core meaning.

conflict for power

Replaces "struggle" with "conflict", emphasizing the active opposition between parties.

contest for power

Uses "contest" instead of "struggle", suggesting a more formal or regulated competition.

battle for power

Substitutes "struggle" with "battle", conveying a more aggressive and intense competition.

competition for power

Replaces "struggle" with "competition", indicating a broader range of competitive activities.

quest for power

Replaces "struggle" with "quest", highlighting the pursuit and ambition for power.

fight for power

Uses "fight" instead of "struggle", suggesting a more direct and confrontational approach.

turf war

Uses the term "turf war" to imply a struggle over territory or area of control.

leadership contest

Implies that the struggle is to obtain a leadership position.

political infighting

Suggests an internal struggle for power within a political organization.

FAQs

How can I use "struggle for power" in a sentence?

You can use "struggle for power" to describe a conflict where entities compete for control. For example: "The "conflict for power" between the two factions intensified after the leader's death."

What can I say instead of "struggle for power"?

You can use alternatives like "competition for power", "battle for power", or "quest for power" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "struggle for power" or "struggle of power"?

"Struggle for power" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Struggle of power" is not commonly used and sounds awkward.

What's the difference between "struggle for power" and "power struggle"?

"Struggle for power" and "power struggle" are often interchangeable. "Power struggle" is a noun phrase that describes the event, while "struggle for power" can be used more flexibly in sentences to describe the action.