struggling for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'struggling for' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is making a strenuous effort to achieve something. For example: The mother was struggling for her children's future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many are struggling for their lives.

The New York Times - Arts

Marseille, however, is struggling for harmony.

The New York Times

Struggling for breath.

The Guardian - Books

The S.E.C. is desperately struggling for relevance.

The New York Times

The authorities are struggling for two reasons.

The New York Times

"They are not just struggling for democracy.

The New York Times

We're not struggling for money.

The Guardian

Newsweek has been struggling for the past several years.

The New York Times

Woah," said Mr. Gingrich, struggling for a response.

The New York Times

Twenty-three million arericanstrugglingggling for work today.

The New York Times

Now he really is struggling for words.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggling for", ensure that the object of the preposition 'for' is clearly defined. This provides clarity and context to the effort being exerted. For example, "struggling for survival" is more impactful than just "struggling".

Common error

Avoid using "struggling for" in contexts where the effort is minimal or the outcome is easily achieved. The phrase implies a significant challenge, so it's inappropriate for trivial situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling for" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating a strenuous effort or difficulty in attaining a specific goal or objective. It conveys the idea of actively working towards something despite facing challenges, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggling for" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a significant effort or difficulty in achieving a specific goal. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts, from news reporting to academic writing. While alternatives like "striving for" or "competing for" exist, "struggling for" effectively conveys the sense of challenge and determination. Remembering to clearly define the object of the struggle and avoiding its use in trivial situations will ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving for

Implies a continuous and determined effort to achieve something.

fighting for

Highlights the act of defending or advocating for something.

competing for

Focuses on the aspect of rivalry and contest in achieving a goal.

contending for

Similar to competing, but suggests a more intense and persistent effort.

in need of

Emphasizes the state of lacking something essential.

needing

Highlights the necessity or requirement for something.

pursuing

Indicates a determined effort to gain or achieve something over a period of time.

seeking

Suggests an active search or pursuit of something.

grappling with

Implies dealing with a difficult challenge or problem.

yearning for

Expresses a deep longing or desire for something.

FAQs

How to use "struggling for" in a sentence?

You can use "struggling for" to describe someone facing difficulties in achieving a goal. For instance, "The company is struggling for survival in a competitive market."

What can I say instead of "struggling for"?

You can use alternatives like "striving for", "competing for", or "fighting for" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "struggling for" or "struggling to"?

Both phrases are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Struggling for" implies a direct competition or need for something, while "struggling to" indicates an effort to perform an action.

What's the difference between "struggling for" and "yearning for"?

"Struggling for" implies active effort in obtaining something, while "yearning for" suggests a deep emotional longing or desire that may not involve direct action.