struggled hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggled hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the effort and difficulty someone faced while trying to achieve something. Example: "Despite the challenges, she struggled hard to complete the marathon, pushing through the pain and fatigue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Later, she felt that she hadn't struggled hard enough.

The New Yorker

It has struggled hard to get beyond those days.

The New York Times

She struggled hard to force it back under the hat.

The Guardian - Books

Meanwhile one of them found a crack and struggled hard to get out.

The New Yorker

As platoon sergeant he had to clear the casualties: "I really struggled hard with it.

The Guardian

Our doctors struggled hard and cured him after 82 days in hospital".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

France and Italy have struggled harder, and are hampered by large fiscal deficits of their own.

The Economist

"We had to struggle hard today," Uruguay Coach Óscar Tabárez said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have to struggle hard, maybe for 1 year, 2 years, 20 years," he said.

The New York Times

Americans aren't tired of "winning;" they are tired of struggling hard merely to stay afloat.

The Washington Post

Voigt, despite his brave push, is looking white and struggling hard.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggled hard" to emphasize the intensity and difficulty of an effort, particularly when highlighting perseverance in the face of adversity. For example: "The team struggled hard to overcome a series of setbacks and win the championship."

Common error

Avoid using "struggled hard" when the context already implies difficulty or effort. For instance, instead of saying "He struggled hard to survive the ordeal", consider simply saying "He struggled to survive the ordeal" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggled hard" functions as a verbal phrase, where 'struggled' is the verb indicating effort and 'hard' is an adverb modifying the verb to emphasize the intensity of that effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggled hard" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the intensity and difficulty of an effort. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. While alternatives like "worked diligently" or "strove mightily" exist, "struggled hard" effectively conveys perseverance in the face of adversity. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources and is suitable for neutral and professional contexts. Remember to avoid redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply significant effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fought tooth and nail

Highlights the fierce determination and tenacity in overcoming obstacles.

tried strenuously

Focuses on the demanding nature of the attempt.

persevered against odds

Focuses on overcoming challenges and difficulties.

strove mightily

Emphasizes the power and determination behind the effort.

endeavored earnestly

Emphasizes the sincerity and seriousness of the attempt.

made a valiant effort

Focuses on the courageous and determined nature of the attempt.

worked diligently

Focuses on the effort exerted, emphasizing consistent application of effort.

toiled relentlessly

Underscores the persistent and unyielding nature of the work.

labored intensely

Highlights the intensity of the work performed.

exerted oneself greatly

Highlights the personal effort and energy invested.

FAQs

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

Use "struggled hard" to emphasize the effort and difficulty someone faced while trying to achieve something. For example: "The athlete "struggled hard" to win the race despite a leg injury".

What can I say instead of "struggled hard"?

You can use alternatives like "worked diligently", "strove mightily", or "tried strenuously" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "struggled hard" or "struggled hardly"?

"Struggled hard" is correct. "Struggled hardly" implies that someone barely struggled or didn't struggle at all, which is likely not the intended meaning. You can also use the adjective "struggled mightily" instead, if you prefer.

What's the difference between "struggled hard" and "struggled mightily"?

While both phrases convey effort and difficulty, "struggled mightily" suggests a more forceful or impressive effort than ""struggled hard"". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.