struggling against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean one exerting effort in order to oppose another force. For example: "The small town was struggling against the big corporation's plans to build a new factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are struggling against this tyrannical regime.

The New Yorker

Governments are struggling against this nuisance.

The New York Times

A. You're always struggling against expectations.

The New York Times

He exhausted himself struggling against them.

The Economist

Ecuador's businesses are struggling against high costs.

The Economist

We will be struggling against it.

The Guardian - Books

He is struggling against the pace.

The Guardian - Sport

She was struggling against frustration too.

The New York Times - Arts

So in struggling against the Mafia I struggle against myself.

The Economist

What he feels is rising irritation struggling against worldly caution.

The New Yorker

Spent his whole life struggling against Zionism and imperialism.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggling against" to depict ongoing effort against significant opposition. For instance, "The company is struggling against declining sales" effectively conveys a sustained effort to reverse a negative trend.

Common error

Avoid using "struggling against" for minor disagreements or easily resolved issues. Opt for simpler terms like "disagreeing with" or "opposing" when the conflict is not significant. "The team was disagreeing with the new policy" is more appropriate than "The team was struggling against the new policy" if the issue is not critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling against" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to describe an ongoing effort to overcome opposition or adversity. It highlights the active and sustained nature of the effort. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggling against" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that describes an ongoing effort to overcome opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific and Academic sources, it serves to emphasize the effort and persistence involved in facing a challenge. Alternatives like "fighting against" or "grappling with" can be used to add subtle nuances. To effectively use "struggling against", ensure it aligns with the sustained and active nature of the opposition being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fighting against

Replaces "struggling" with a more direct and forceful term, implying active combat.

combating against

Very similar to "fighting against", but slightly more formal.

battling

Similar to fighting, but often used for prolonged or difficult struggles.

combating

Implies active measures taken to defeat something.

grappling with

Implies a closer, more hands-on confrontation than "struggling against".

resisting

Implies a refusal to comply or accept something.

contending with

Suggests a formal or legalistic opposition.

withstanding

Focuses on enduring or resisting the effects of something.

opposing

A more general term for disagreeing with or acting against something.

withstanding the force of

This implies withstanding an active imposition of force of something or someone.

FAQs

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

Use "struggling against" to describe an ongoing effort to overcome a significant challenge or opposition. For example, "The country is "struggling against" poverty" shows a continuous effort to alleviate poverty.

What are some alternatives to "struggling against"?

You can use alternatives like "fighting against", "grappling with", or "contending with" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "struggling against" or "struggling with"?

"Struggling against" typically implies opposition to a force or entity, while "struggling with" suggests difficulty in dealing with a situation or problem. Choose the phrase that best fits the nature of the challenge.

What's the difference between "resisting" and "struggling against"?

"Resisting" implies a refusal to accept or comply with something, while "struggling against" suggests an active effort to overcome or defeat an opposing force. "Resisting" may be a more passive approach compared to the active and sustained effort implied by "struggling against".