struggling hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"struggling hard" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It means to work hard to make an effort to accomplish something. For example, "The student was struggling hard to get a good grade on his final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

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

"I never had the thought of really struggling hard to become something.

The New York Times

China is struggling hard to make its army more professional keeping servicemen for longer and attracting better-educated recruits.

The Economist

"There wasn't a problem as long as I didn't stay next to someone who was struggling hard," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Inside the meetings, she found herself in an environment that felt safe: courageous people struggling hard with their demons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

People with low or fixed incomes, the elderly and the unemployed are struggling harder to rebuild, the officials say.

The New York Times

The antitrust police ought to be struggling harder with this fundamental fact.

Forbes

Yes, Reich is the man for this job, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and, especially, Bernie Sanders, who is very clear in what he perceives must be done to bolster the lives of struggling, hard-working Americans and return control of our country to We, the People, and not the corporations.

Huffington Post

It has struggled hard to get beyond those days.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggling hard" when you want to emphasize both the effort being made and the difficulty of the situation. It's a good choice when portraying someone facing significant challenges and exerting considerable effort.

Common error

While acceptable, "struggling hard" can sometimes sound less sophisticated in formal writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "striving mightily" or "endeavoring strenuously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling hard" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a subject (person, group, entity). It highlights the effort and difficulty involved in an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggling hard" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations involving significant effort and difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's widely used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While generally appropriate, consider alternative phrases such as "working diligently" or "striving mightily" for a more formal tone. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of challenge and perseverance, making it a useful tool in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a hard time

It's a more direct way of saying that somebody is experiencing difficulties or problems.

giving it your all

Focuses on the commitment of the effort, less on difficulty of the task.

striving mightily

Emphasizes the intensity of the effort and ambition behind it.

battling fiercely

Suggests a more intense and combative struggle against opposition.

grappling intensely

Highlights the active engagement and struggle with a problem or challenge.

working diligently

Focuses on the positive aspect of effort and dedication, less on the difficulty.

toiling tirelessly

Implies continuous and prolonged effort without rest.

endeavoring strenuously

Highlights the effort put in, but with a more formal tone.

exerting oneself

A more general way of saying someone is putting in effort. It changes the focus of the person who is the subject.

facing adversity

Shifts the focus to the challenging circumstances rather than the effort itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggling hard" to describe someone facing significant challenges and putting in a lot of effort. For example: "The team was struggling hard to meet the deadline."

What can I say instead of "struggling hard"?

You can use alternatives like "working diligently", "striving mightily", or "endeavoring strenuously" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "struggling hard"?

While generally acceptable, "struggling hard" might sound less formal in some professional or academic contexts. Evaluate if an alternative like "persevering" or "endeavoring" would be a better fit.

What's the difference between "struggling hard" and "having a hard time"?

"Struggling hard" implies a considerable effort is being exerted to overcome a challenge, while "having a hard time" simply indicates that someone is experiencing difficulties, without necessarily emphasizing their effort.