struggle towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'struggle towards' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone working hard to achieve a particular goal, or to refer to a slow but determined process of achieving an objective. For example: She has been struggling towards her degree for the last three years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Let us spurn earthly things; let us struggle towards the heavenly," he writes.

The New Yorker

Director Nigel Cole's film is meant to inspire today's young women to continue their mothers' struggle towards the ever-disappearing will o' the wisp that is equal pay.

The Guardian

You can hear Webb strain to get at something beautiful, and the song becomes even more moving for the struggle towards that little moment of perfection.

The New York Times

The hairdresser's struggle towards equality is essentially the same as the fight of the composer's wife in Blue to find her personal freedom.

The Guardian - Film

They know the long struggle towards single occupation and two sofas, and go strangely silent before uttering an incredulous "Jesus Christ!" It's a nice sound.

The Guardian

As I imagine most pilgrimages, it was less the struggle towards a given end than a continual flight from disappointment and unhappiness.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Foucault encouraged looking past obvious points of struggle and conflict towards the seemingly mundane or ordinary.

Critical Public Health

Back at his quarters, blank days followed sleepless nights, and Herojit struggled towards a decision.

The Guardian

Unconscious processes struggling towards articulation are at work in both psychoanalysis and art.

The Guardian - Books

I struggled towards the end with cooking because my physical disability worsened (joint hypermobility syndrome).

The Guardian

Heading down the south slope, we passed a throng of climbers struggling towards the summit along a choked trail.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggle towards" in your writing, ensure that the subject is actively engaged in the effort and the object is a specific, attainable goal.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, "struggle towards" can sometimes sound less professional in highly formal or business-oriented writing. Consider using alternatives like "work toward" or "endeavor to achieve" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle towards" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a sustained effort or endeavor in a specific direction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle towards" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a difficult but determined effort towards a goal. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys perseverance in the face of challenges. While versatile, remember to consider alternatives like "strive for" or "work toward" for nuances in tone and formality. The best practice is to use "struggle towards" when you specifically want to emphasize the challenging nature of the endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive for

Focuses on the effort to attain something desirable. Compared to "struggle towards", it emphasizes the aspiration more than the difficulty.

press on toward

Suggests continuing despite difficulties or obstacles. It is a more determined version of "struggle towards".

work toward

Emphasizes consistent effort and progress, often in a professional or practical context. It is less intense than "struggle towards".

make headway toward

Implies progress in a certain direction, often against resistance. "Make headway toward" highlights advancement more explicitly.

labor toward

Emphasizes hard work and sustained effort. It is typically used in more formal contexts.

endeavor to achieve

Highlights a determined attempt to reach a goal. "Endeavor to achieve" is more formal than "struggle towards".

push oneself toward

Highlights self-motivation and internal drive. It emphasizes the personal effort involved in the process.

aim for

Indicates a clear target or objective. "Aim for" is less about the difficulty and more about the direction.

try to reach

Focuses on the attempt to arrive at a destination. It is more direct and less nuanced compared to "struggle towards".

aspire to

Focuses on having a high ambition or desire. It's more aspirational and less grounded in active effort compared to "struggle towards".

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle towards" to describe someone making a difficult effort to achieve a goal, such as, "They "struggle towards" peace, wrestling with past mistakes".

What are some alternatives to "struggle towards"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "strive for", "work toward", or "endeavor to achieve" instead of "struggle towards".

Is "struggle towards" more formal or informal?

"Struggle towards" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "endeavor to achieve".

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

"Struggle towards" implies a greater degree of difficulty and resistance, while "strive for" suggests a determined effort to attain something desirable, with less emphasis on the challenge.