struggles to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggles to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of difficulty or effort when achieving something. For example, "She struggled to make ends meet each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Awil struggles to carry his.

The New York Times

"Waggoner struggles to his feet.

The New York Times

He struggles to see the point.

The Economist

The government struggles to get much done.

The Economist

The creaking transport infrastructure struggles to cope.

The Economist

He struggles to woo elderly voters.

The Economist

Justice Alito struggles to bridge the gap.

The New York Times

China also struggles to control North Korea.

The Economist

Italy struggles to grow.

The Guardian - Business

Salle struggles to answer and gives up.

The New Yorker

She struggles to keep up her weight.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggles to" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or effort involved in performing an action, rather than a simple inability. For example, instead of saying "He can't understand the concept", use "He "struggles to" understand the concept" to highlight the effort he's making.

Common error

Don't use "struggles to" when a simpler verb like "tries to" or "attempts to" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic. For instance, saying "She "struggles to" open the door" when she simply has a key that works perfectly well is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggles to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating difficulty or strenuous effort in performing an action. It highlights the exertion and challenges faced while attempting something, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggles to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express difficulty or effort when attempting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. While highly versatile, avoid overusing it in simple contexts where less emphatic language would suffice. It appears most frequently in news and media, indicating a neutral register. Consider using alternatives like "finds it difficult to" or "has trouble" for variety or specific emphasis. The phrase effectively conveys the challenges faced by a subject and adds depth to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has trouble

A simpler and more direct way of saying something is not easy.

finds it difficult to

Replaces "struggles" with a more direct expression of difficulty.

finds it challenging to

Similar to "finds it difficult to" but emphasizes the challenging nature.

has a hard time

Emphasizes the difficulty experienced in performing an action.

faces challenges in

Focuses on the obstacles encountered while trying to do something.

experiences difficulty in

A more formal way of expressing that something is not easy.

strives to

Indicates effort and determination despite the difficulty.

contends with

Highlights the ongoing effort to overcome a challenge.

grapples with

Suggests a more intense and active struggle.

battles to

Implies a significant and determined effort against adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "struggles to" in a sentence?

Use "struggles to" to indicate difficulty or effort in performing an action. For example, "The company "struggles to" maintain its market share in the face of increasing competition."

What are some alternatives to "struggles to"?

You can use alternatives like "finds it difficult to", "has a hard time", or "experiences difficulty in" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "struggles to" or "tries to"?

"Struggles to" implies a greater degree of difficulty and effort than "tries to". Use "struggles to" when the action is particularly challenging, and "tries to" when it's a general attempt.

What's the difference between "struggles to" and "strives to"?

"Struggles to" emphasizes the difficulty of an action, while "strives to" highlights the effort and determination put into achieving a goal, despite potential difficulties. "Strives to" has more positive connotation than "struggles to".