struggle to manage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle to manage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing difficulty in handling or controlling a situation, task, or responsibility. Example: "Many small businesses struggle to manage their finances effectively, especially during economic downturns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dam managers struggle to manage these objectives.

The Guardian

Tom Ball, founder of NearDesk, which offers workspace to rent for entrepreneurs, said: "Most managers have never been trained how to manage properly – and therefore struggle to manage remote workers".

The Guardian

Many fear that the country will struggle to manage this.

The Economist

Court systems across the world struggle to manage high caseloads, backlogs, and decision appeals.

University of California, Berkeley

It's a word that sums up why so many schools struggle to manage bad behaviour: "mate".

The Guardian

Which parties are involved in the struggle to manage electrical energy?

The New York Times

Ticketing stings, defiant cyclists, and besieged communities reflect a struggle to manage it.

The New York Times

Even the most level-headed leadership would struggle to manage that massive geopolitical adjustment.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also heard of his long struggle to manage his diabetes.

The Guardian

Which ultimately means that those in Britain who are "just about managing" will struggle to manage.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the whole process of money creation is so haphazard and poorly understood that we struggle to manage it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggle to manage", ensure that the context clearly defines what is causing the difficulty. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to manage" without specifying what is being managed. Vague statements can weaken your message. Instead of saying "They struggle to manage", specify "They struggle to manage their finances" or "They struggle to manage the workload".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to manage" typically functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of experiencing difficulty in controlling, handling, or directing something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle to manage" is a versatile expression used to describe difficulties in handling or controlling various situations, tasks, or responsibilities. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While it's considered a common expression, it's important to provide context and specify what is being managed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "find it difficult to manage" or "have difficulty managing" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it difficult to manage

Replaces "struggle" with "find it difficult", emphasizing the difficulty aspect.

have difficulty managing

Similar to the previous alternative, focusing on the difficulty experienced.

find it hard to cope with

Emphasizes the act of dealing with something challenging.

have a hard time managing

Informal alternative that also highlights difficulty.

are challenged in managing

More formal and passive way of expressing difficulty.

grapple with management of

Uses a more active verb, "grapple", to indicate a struggle.

encounter challenges in managing

Focuses on the challenges faced during management.

have problems managing

A straightforward and direct way to express issues with management.

contend with managing

Implies a continuous effort to overcome difficulties in management.

wrestle with the management of

Suggests a more intense and ongoing conflict related to management.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to manage" to describe difficulties in handling something. For example, "Many small businesses "struggle to manage" their cash flow effectively".

What are some alternatives to "struggle to manage"?

Alternatives include "find it difficult to manage", "have difficulty managing", or "find it hard to cope with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "struggle to manage" or "have a hard time managing"?

"Struggle to manage" is generally considered more formal than "have a hard time managing". The latter is more colloquial.

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

"Struggle to manage" implies an ongoing effort and difficulty, whereas "fail to manage" suggests a lack of success or complete inability to handle something. The first indicates effort, the second implies a lack of success.