struggle to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle to attain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the effort or difficulty involved in achieving a goal or reaching a desired outcome. Example: "Many students struggle to attain high grades while balancing work and personal commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

These are, typically, books that struggle to attain coverage in the traditional outlets for literary criticism.

The Guardian - Books

Thus "Symphony of Psalms" appears to be a struggle to attain courage.

The New York Times - Arts

Their lives are marked by a continual struggle to attain some sense of order.

Harvard Business Review

Automation can provide the productivity boost required to meet economic growth projections that they otherwise would struggle to attain.

Harvard Business Review

One of his most astute essays, "The Power of the Powerless," was written to illustrate the unrelenting struggle to attain dignity.

The New York Times

On the set of a schlocky TV space opera called "Starwatch," three children of wealthy and talented parents struggle to attain success of their own.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Joy Bramble remembers when black writers struggled to attain their dreams and the attention needed to sustain them.

The New York Times - Books

The bill is a rare bipartisan achievement in a Congress that has struggled to attain many others.

The Guardian

Baron's relentless focus has electrified his team into covering important stories with a speed and depth the organisation struggled to attain just a few years ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Passed in 2002, the law rates schools on how students perform on reading and math tests, pressuring districts to focus resources on students struggling to attain proficiency.

The New York Times

This lack of full respect perhaps explains why All the Time in the World struggles to attain the penetration, menace and insight of Doctorow's celebrated novels.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggle to attain", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being struggled for and why it is difficult to achieve. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to attain" when a simpler phrase like "try to get" or "try to achieve" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where genuine difficulty and sustained effort are involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to attain" functions as a purpose connector, linking the effort (struggle) with the intended outcome (attainment). It indicates difficulty in achieving a goal, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle to attain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the difficulty in achieving a particular goal. Ludwig AI validates this usage, highlighting that it commonly appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "strive to achieve" exist, "struggle to attain" conveys a greater sense of challenge and formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context emphasizes the difficulty faced in reaching the desired outcome. Overusing it in simple situations should be avoided to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to achieve

This alternative emphasizes continuous effort towards a goal.

endeavor to gain

This phrase highlights the attempt to obtain something, often with considerable effort.

work hard to secure

This focuses on the diligent effort required to make something certain.

make an effort to reach

This emphasizes the exertion of energy to arrive at a specific point or goal.

strain to accomplish

This suggests a great amount of effort, possibly to the point of stress.

labor to obtain

This implies hard physical or mental work is needed to get something.

fight to acquire

This conveys a sense of opposition or difficulty in getting something.

push to realize

This highlights a strong drive to bring something into being or actuality.

persevere to secure

This focuses on continuing despite difficulty to make something certain.

aim to capture

This implies a deliberate attempt to seize or win something elusive or competitive.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to attain" to describe the difficulty someone faces when trying to achieve something. For example, "Many students "strive to achieve" academic success while balancing extracurricular activities".

What are some alternatives to "struggle to attain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "strive to achieve", "endeavor to gain", or "work hard to secure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "struggle to attain" or "struggle to achieve"?

Both "struggle to attain" and "struggle to achieve" are correct, but "attain" often implies a higher degree of difficulty and perhaps a more significant or elusive goal than "achieve".

What makes "struggle to attain" a more formal phrase?

The word "attain" is generally considered more formal than simpler synonyms like "get" or "reach", making "struggle to attain" suitable for academic or professional writing where a more elevated tone is desired.