struggled against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggled against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is fighting or contending with something, whether it be a physical challenge, an idea, or an opponent. Example: "She struggled against the current as she tried to swim back to shore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But "we've struggled against Toronto".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was being struggled against.

The New Yorker

Thompson struggled against the Wizards.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, Brockers generally struggled against Georgia.

The New York Times

He has struggled against top defenses, however.

The New York Times - Sports

He has struggled against low name recognition.

The New York Times

Mr. Moon struggled against bad publicity.

The New York Times

He struggled against the tree.

The New Yorker

Morisot struggled against all this.

The Washington Post

Britain's exports struggled against an overvalued currency.

The Economist

He's struggled against the England spinner.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggled against", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is contending with, whether it's a tangible force, an abstract concept, or an opposing entity. For example: "The company struggled against economic headwinds."

Common error

Avoid using "struggled against" when a milder term like "found difficult" or "had trouble with" would be more appropriate. "Struggled against" implies a significant degree of effort and resistance. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggled against" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating resistance or difficulty in opposing something. It describes an active engagement with a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggled against" is a versatile and frequently used verbal phrase that effectively conveys the effort and difficulty involved in resisting or opposing something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears predominantly in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts. While "struggled against" is widely accepted, it's crucial to consider the intensity of the struggle and choose alternatives like "fought against" or "contended with" when appropriate. Understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fought against

This option suggests direct opposition or active resistance.

battled against

This alternative suggests a more intense and prolonged conflict.

grappled with

This suggests a close, physical, or mental struggle.

combated

This alternative implies active measures taken to overcome a challenge or opponent.

contended with

This phrase implies a formal or legal dispute or competition.

faced challenges with

This phrase highlights the difficulties encountered while pursuing a goal or task.

coped with

This suggests managing or dealing with a challenging situation, often implying resilience.

had difficulty with

This focuses on the difficulty experienced, rather than the opposition.

endured

This emphasizes the ability to withstand hardship or adversity over a period of time.

had a hard time with

An informal way of expressing difficulty in dealing with something.

FAQs

How can I use "struggled against" in a sentence?

You can use "struggled against" to describe a situation where someone or something faced significant difficulty or opposition. For instance, "The athlete "struggled against" a strong headwind" or "The country "struggled against" economic hardship".

What are some alternatives to "struggled against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fought against", "contended with", "battled against", or "grappled with".

Is it correct to say "struggled against" or "struggled with"?

Both "struggled against" and "struggled with" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Struggled against" implies resistance or opposition to something, while "struggled with" simply means having difficulty with something. For example: "She "struggled against" the illness" versus "She "struggled with" the math problem".

What's the difference between "struggled against" and "overcame"?

"Struggled against" indicates the process of facing difficulties or opposition, while "overcame" implies successfully conquering or defeating those challenges. "Struggled against" focuses on the effort, while "overcame" focuses on the result. You can "struggle against" something without overcoming it.