struggle to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing difficulty in understanding or comprehending a concept or idea. Example: "Many students struggle to grasp the complex theories presented in the advanced physics course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They struggle to grasp either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many clients struggle to grasp what is happening, said lawyers.

The Guardian

Even Microsoft's own senior executives struggle to grasp its growing empire.

The Economist

If you can't see what is being discussed, you will struggle to grasp the implications.

The Guardian - Opinion

As was the case in New England, there's a chance Johnson will struggle to grasp his new playbook.

The New York Times

Mr Benkirane speaks the street dialect of his people rather than the formal Arabic that many Moroccans struggle to grasp.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

At times he struggled to grasp reality.

The Washington Post

At times, adults in Torrington have struggled to grasp teenagers' online habits as much as students have struggled to grasp the consequences of their posts.

The New York Times

I have struggled to grasp the reasons for this apathy among finance staff.

The Guardian

After struggling to grasp a new system in August, he has found his comfort zone.

The New York Times

Regulators have struggled to grasp the inner workings of these markets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle to grasp" when you want to convey a sense of effort and difficulty in understanding a concept, rather than a complete inability to understand. It implies a process of attempting to comprehend.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "struggle to grasp" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for synonyms like "find it difficult to comprehend" or "encounter challenges in understanding" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to grasp" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the difficulty someone experiences in understanding or comprehending a concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggle to grasp" is a correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the difficulty in understanding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it’s best to reserve it to describe an ongoing effort and to use synonyms in very formal writing. Remember, this phrase conveys that an attempt to understand is being made, even if comprehension is not immediate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have difficulty understanding

Replaces "struggle" with "have difficulty" while retaining the core meaning of finding something hard to understand.

find it hard to comprehend

Uses "find it hard" instead of "struggle" and "comprehend" in place of "grasp", both changes maintaining the original meaning.

have a hard time understanding

Emphasizes the difficulty using "have a hard time" instead of "struggle", slightly intensifying the sense of effort required to understand.

find it challenging to understand

Substitutes "challenging" for "hard", suggesting the difficulty is stimulating but still present.

grapple with understanding

Replaces "struggle" with "grapple", indicating a more active and involved effort to understand.

labor to understand

Uses "labor" to convey a strong sense of effort and exertion in the process of understanding.

wrestle with the concept

Employs "wrestle" to suggest a more intense and prolonged engagement with the idea to achieve comprehension.

have a problem understanding

Indicates a clear issue or obstacle in the process of understanding, rather than just a struggle.

be unable to fully understand

Implies a complete lack of comprehension, which might be a stronger statement than simply struggling.

fail to comprehend

Expresses a complete lack of understanding, which carries a stronger connotation than struggling.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to grasp" to describe difficulty understanding something, like "Many students "struggle to grasp" complex mathematical concepts".

What can I say instead of "struggle to grasp"?

Alternatives include "have difficulty understanding", "find it hard to comprehend", or "have a hard time understanding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "struggle to grasp" or "struggle grasping"?

"Struggle to grasp" is the idiomatic and more common form. "Struggle grasping" is less frequently used and might sound awkward in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "struggle to grasp" and "fail to understand"?

"Struggle to grasp" implies an effort to understand that is ongoing, while "fail to comprehend" suggests a lack of understanding without necessarily implying effort.