struggle to live

USAGE SUMMARY

'struggle to live' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to express how difficult it is to survive in a particular situation, often a difficult or challenging one. For example, "The refugees have been struggling to live in the camps for several years now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I must struggle to live, however bitterly.

The New York Times

It's that this is life, and life is a struggle; to live is to care.

The New Yorker

But on another, it suggests bigger fund firms may struggle to live up to past glories.

The New York Times

He has watched his heart patients struggle to live with less of it.

The New York Times

It was a brutal moment that Johnson will struggle to live down.

The New York Times

"The struggle to live on Newstart is also pushing some people into homelessness.

The Guardian

It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity.

The Washington Post

Davidson had a struggle to live up to the political reputations of his parents.

The Guardian

It is a struggle to live as Allah wishes us to live.

The New York Times - Books

Even the most frugal retirees would struggle to live on $400 a month.

The New York Times

Did he struggle to live in the shadow of such a strong, powerful woman?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle to live" to convey a sense of ongoing difficulty and effort in maintaining life, particularly in adverse conditions. For example, "Many families in the war-torn region struggle to live due to the lack of resources."

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to live" when describing everyday challenges that do not pose a significant threat to survival. For example, saying "I struggle to live with my roommate's messiness" is inappropriate; a better phrase would be "I find it challenging to live with my roommate's messiness."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to live" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a verb phrase complement. It describes the ongoing and difficult effort required to maintain life in challenging circumstances. As Ludwig indicates, it is generally used to express how difficult it is to survive in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Forbes

1%

HuffPost

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle to live" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the difficult effort required to maintain life in challenging circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively communicates hardship and adversity. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, its usage spans from formal reports to personal narratives. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with contexts involving genuine threats to survival, avoiding overuse in less critical situations. Related phrases like "fight for survival" or "strive for existence" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fight for survival

Emphasizes the active effort and conflict involved in staying alive.

strive for existence

Highlights the continuous exertion required to maintain one's life.

battle to survive

Conveys a sense of hardship and adversity in the process of living.

endure hardship to exist

Focuses on the prolonged suffering experienced while trying to remain alive.

eke out a living

Suggests managing to survive with very limited resources.

scrape by to stay alive

Implies a minimal level of survival, barely managing to exist.

grapple with life

Highlights the continuous challenges and difficulties faced in living.

contend with existence

Emphasizes the struggle and opposition involved in the act of living.

wrestle with survival

Conveys a sense of intense struggle and effort to stay alive.

bear the burden of living

Highlights the weight and difficulty associated with maintaining life.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to live" to describe situations where individuals or groups face significant hardships in their efforts to survive. For instance, "Many refugees "struggle to live" in overcrowded camps with limited resources."

What are some alternatives to "struggle to live"?

Alternatives include phrases like "fight for survival", "strive for existence", or "battle to survive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "struggle to live"?

Use "struggle to live" when referring to situations involving significant hardship and adversity that directly impact one's ability to survive. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences or challenges that do not threaten survival.

What's the difference between ""struggle to live"" and "strive to thrive"?

"Struggle to live" implies a focus on basic survival under difficult conditions, while "strive to thrive" suggests an effort to flourish and achieve success beyond mere survival.