struggle toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of making an effort to achieve or reach a goal or destination. Example: "Despite the challenges, she continued to struggle toward her dreams of becoming a successful artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His words, wistful and elliptical, evoke a struggle toward a vast, empty expanse.

The New York Times

The civil war ended in May 2009, but the country continues to struggle toward reconciliation.

The New York Times

Its characters struggle toward their goals in efforts that are always admirable, if sometimes exhausting.

The New York Times

Can we find some way to struggle toward clarity and forgiveness?

The New York Times

Some on the left see the cases as reflecting Turkey's struggle toward democracy.

The New York Times

As for the broader struggle toward a modern and healthy Islam, Afghanistan's global importance is negligible.

The New York Times

Leaning heavily, if inoffensively, on ethnic stereotypes, the movie charts a sentimental struggle toward manhood with period-appropriate charm.

The New York Times

"I must practise hard so as to make my contribution to the Korean people's struggle toward victorious nationhood," he added.

The Guardian

Do you have a story of "accepting" an adult child's choices, or of what the struggle toward that acceptance cost you?

The New York Times

Folk art is the creative expression of the human struggle toward civilization within a particular environment through the production of useful but aesthetic buildings and objects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Exhibiting astonishing dexterity, Mr. Sono shapes all this trauma into a narrative that's completely coherent and surprisingly touching, never more so than in Yu's struggle toward sexual maturity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle toward" to convey a sense of persistent effort against resistance when pursuing a goal. For instance, "They struggled toward a peaceful resolution despite ongoing conflicts."

Common error

Avoid using "struggle toward" in situations where the effort is minimal or the goal is easily achieved. Overusing it in less significant situations can diminish its impact when describing genuine hardship or adversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle toward" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous effort in a specific direction. It describes the act of striving or making progress despite difficulties. Ludwig provides various examples where this phrase is used to depict ongoing efforts toward achieving a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggle toward" is a verb phrase that effectively conveys the concept of making sustained effort amidst difficulty to achieve a specific goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "strive for" or "work towards" exist, "struggle toward" uniquely emphasizes the resistance encountered along the way. It's best used when describing situations where progress is hard-won and should be avoided in contexts where the effort is minimal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive for

This alternative focuses on the effort and determination involved in pursuing a goal.

work towards

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing effort and steps taken to achieve a specific objective.

endeavor to

This alternative suggests a serious and determined attempt to achieve something.

aim for

This alternative highlights the setting of a specific target or goal.

press on towards

This alternative conveys a sense of perseverance and continued movement in a particular direction.

make headway toward

This alternative emphasizes making progress, often in a challenging situation.

push for

This alternative suggests a forceful and persistent effort to achieve a goal.

reach for

This alternative implies attempting to grasp or attain something that may be difficult to achieve.

aspire to

This alternative suggests having ambitious goals and striving to achieve them.

advance toward

This alternative focuses on gradual movement and progress in a specific direction.

FAQs

How can I use "struggle toward" in a sentence?

You can use "struggle toward" to describe making an effort against difficulties to reach a goal, as in, "The country continues to "struggle toward" reconciliation."

What can I say instead of "struggle toward"?

Alternatives include "strive for", "work towards", or "endeavor to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "struggle toward" or "struggle to"?

"Struggle toward" implies a direction or goal, whereas "struggle to" implies an action or task. For example, "struggle toward peace" versus "struggle to breathe."

What's the difference between "struggle toward" and "strive for"?

"Struggle toward" often suggests facing resistance, while "strive for" emphasizes ambition and dedicated effort. Both involve working towards a goal, but the former highlights the challenges involved.