struggle to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle to apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing difficulties in implementing or utilizing a concept, skill, or method in practice. Example: "Many students struggle to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

If there's one adjective you'd struggle to apply to Garner, it's "prolific".

Independent

That effort reveals itself in writing that is grisly but never gratuitous in its struggle to apply an intrinsically humanist art form to the examination of industrial-scale butchery.

The Guardian - Books

Participants may improve their "book knowledge" but often struggle to apply new information to patient care.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Other modellers struggle to apply physically-based, distributed models within complex, three-dimensional heterogeneous landscapes, inducing equifinality and predictive uncertainty problems.

Journal of Hydrology

Past studies have found that a full third of college students struggle to apply the correct order of operations (Pappanastos, Hall, & Honan, 2002; see also Glidden, 2008).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Almost three quarters of those questioned said they would struggle to apply for a job online, with 28% saying they could complete an online application on their own.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Especially as companies from emerging economies in particular are still struggling to apply the G3 framework.

The Guardian

We have consistently struggled to apply these simple words in the context of governmental aid to religious schools.

The New York Times

After a game in which he'd been consistently excellent but struggled to apply the finishing touch, destiny surely awaited.

The Guardian - Sport

It was struggling to apply a copyright law which has grown worse than anachronistic in the digital age.

The Economist

Germany, for example, is struggling to apply to other areas the changes it made to secondary education in Saxony, which closed poorly performing schools.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs than "struggle" to provide nuance. For instance, use "hesitate", "waver", or "delay" to convey particular aspects of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to apply" without specifying what or whom is struggling. Always provide sufficient context to make the sentence meaningful; otherwise, the statement may be perceived as vague or unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to apply" functions as a verb phrase indicating difficulty or effort in implementing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting that it is correctly used to express challenges in implementing or utilizing a skill or concept.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggle to apply" effectively conveys difficulty in implementing a concept or skill. While grammatically sound and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's crucial to provide context regarding what is being applied and the source of the difficulty. Alternative phrases, such as "have difficulty applying" or "find it challenging to apply", can add nuance. The phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to slightly formal register. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and specify the nature of the struggle for clarity. The usage is not very frequent but perfectly correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have difficulty applying

Emphasizes the presence of difficulty when attempting to apply something.

find it challenging to apply

Highlights the challenging nature of the application process.

encounter obstacles in applying

Focuses on the obstacles faced during the application.

have a hard time implementing

Shifts the focus to the difficulty in implementing something.

face challenges in using

Highlights the challenges involved in using something.

find it tough to utilize

Emphasizes the toughness of utilizing something.

wrestle with the application of

Implies a more active and effortful struggle.

grapple with how to apply

Suggests a struggle to understand the application process itself.

be hard pressed to apply

Indicates a strong external pressure making application difficult.

contend with the task of applying

Focuses on the effort required to deal with the task of applying something.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to apply" to describe difficulty in implementing a concept or skill. For example, "Many students "struggle to apply" theoretical knowledge in real-world situations."

What are some alternatives to "struggle to apply"?

Alternatives include "have difficulty applying", "find it challenging to apply", or "encounter obstacles in applying", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the difficulty.

Is it grammatically correct to use "struggle to apply"?

Yes, "struggle to apply" is grammatically correct. It follows a standard verb + infinitive construction and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "struggle to apply" and "attempt to apply"?

"Struggle to apply" implies difficulty and a lack of success, while "attempt to apply" simply indicates an effort was made, without necessarily implying difficulty. For example, one might "struggle to apply" a new method, even after multiple "attempts to apply" it.