struggle to

USAGE SUMMARY

"struggle to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and it is often used to suggest that something is difficult or takes effort to accomplish.
Example: She has been struggling to keep up with her workload since her colleagues went on holiday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They struggle to stand.

The New York Times

You struggle to think.

Independent

Both struggle to stand alone.

Independent

He'll struggle to restrain himself".

Independent

Germans struggle to create companies.

The Economist

AF: I struggle to work Cook out.

Independent

Regulators would struggle to do any better.

The Economist

They may struggle to convince the latter.

The Economist

Chinese administrators struggle to find seasoned professors.

The New York Times

"Out of context they struggle to work.

Independent

Yet statisticians struggle to capture the change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle to" when you want to convey that achieving something requires significant effort or is fraught with difficulty. It accurately reflects the challenges involved.

Common error

While generally acceptable, using "struggle to" too often in formal writing can make your text sound less professional. Consider stronger, more precise verbs to describe the specific difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to" functions as a verb phrase indicating difficulty or effort in performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it conveys that achieving something is not easy and requires considerable exertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle to" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate difficulty or effort in performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and less so in academic or encyclopedic writing. While generally acceptable, overuse in formal contexts should be avoided, opting instead for stronger verbs that more precisely describe the difficulty. When choosing alternative phrases, consider options like "find it difficult to" or "have a hard time" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it difficult to

Focuses on the difficulty experienced, similar to struggling.

have a hard time

Emphasizes the challenging aspect of an activity.

encounter difficulties

Highlights the presence of obstacles.

face challenges

Focuses on confronting demanding tasks.

strive to

Emphasizes effort and determination, though not necessarily difficulty.

labor to

Indicates arduous effort and toil.

have trouble with

Points to specific issues or problems encountered.

contend with

Implies dealing with opposing forces or obstacles.

wrestle with

Suggests a difficult and prolonged effort.

grapple with

Highlights the act of closely engaging with a problem.

FAQs

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

Use "struggle to" to indicate difficulty in performing an action. For example: "Many students "struggle to understand" complex concepts."

What can I say instead of "struggle to"?

You can use alternatives like "find it difficult to", "have a hard time", or "encounter difficulties depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "struggle to" or "struggle with"?

"Struggle to" is generally used with verbs, indicating difficulty in performing an action. "Struggle with" is used with nouns, indicating difficulty in dealing with something. For example, "struggle to understand" vs. "struggle with anxiety".

What's the difference between "struggle to" and "try to"?

"Struggle to" implies a significant level of difficulty and effort, whereas "try to" simply indicates an attempt or intention to do something, regardless of the level of difficulty.