struggling about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling about" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where someone is grappling with a particular issue or topic, but it is more typical to use "struggling with" instead. Example: "She was struggling about the decision to move to a new city."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

No, I'm not struggling about my legacy.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was sweating and struggling about on the bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since 9/11, I've been struggling about how to say thank you".

The New York Times

Mr. Lieberman criticized the authors of the bill for yielding to "right-wingers" in the House but added that he was still struggling about supporting it.

The New York Times

I told my dad (who I think is a Libertarian? not sure!) that I was struggling about who to vote for.

The Guardian

"When students come to me and talk about issues they are facing or wondering or struggling about in the area of sexuality, I am open to and supportive of those questions," Dr. Kellough said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"There are all these power struggles about what book gets chosen," Ms. Burg said.

The New York Times

There are struggles about health, and struggles about money, but what the Romneys seem to miss is the interconnection of the financial and the medical, even as, for most Americans, those have become inseparable.

The New Yorker

Steinberg "struggled about this a lot," he said.

Vice

Rowland stated that there was a time in her life when she struggled about being dark-skinned.

Wikipedia

They struggled about how the smoking made them feel, recognizing that their roles as children limited their ability to influence their parents' behaviour.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "struggling about" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "struggling with" or "grappling with" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is using "about" after "struggling" when "with" is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "He's struggling about his finances", say "He's struggling with his finances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling about" functions as a verbal phrase indicating difficulty or effort related to something. Ludwig AI suggests that the usage is questionable. Better alternatives exist, such as "struggling with".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "struggling about" appears in some contexts, it is not considered grammatically ideal. Ludwig AI suggests that it is preferable to use alternatives such as ""struggling with"" or ""grappling with"", which are more widely accepted and clearer in meaning. Analysis indicates that it surfaces in News & Media and Science but remains uncommon. Choosing more conventional phrases will enhance clarity and ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggling with

This is a more common and grammatically accepted alternative, implying a direct confrontation with a challenge.

grappling with

Suggests a more intense effort to understand or overcome something.

contending with

Implies facing opposition or difficulties in a competitive context.

wrestling with

Conveys a sense of internal conflict or difficulty in making a decision.

having difficulty with

A more straightforward way of expressing that someone is experiencing problems.

finding it hard to

Indicates a level of challenge or effort in performing a specific action.

facing challenges in

Highlights the presence of obstacles or difficulties in a specific area.

having a hard time with

Suggests a prolonged or ongoing period of difficulty.

encountering problems with

Implies the occurrence of specific issues or difficulties.

laboring under

Indicates struggling due to the weight or burden of something.

FAQs

What's a better alternative to "struggling about"?

A more grammatically sound alternative is "struggling with". This construction is widely accepted and conveys the intended meaning effectively.

Is "struggling about" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "struggling about" is less common and might sound awkward. It's generally safer to use "struggling with".

How can I use "struggling with" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "She is "struggling with" the decision to change careers."

What's the difference between "struggling with" and "grappling with"?

"Struggling with" generally implies facing difficulties, while "grappling with" suggests a more active attempt to understand or resolve a complex issue.