struggling to adapt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling to adapt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that is having difficulty adjusting to new circumstances or environments. Example: "After moving to a new city, she found herself struggling to adapt to the different culture and lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hollywood stars are struggling to adapt, he says.

The Guardian - Tech

China as a whole is struggling to adapt as the working-age population peaks.

The Economist

The data told a tale of states struggling to adapt to the new fiscal reality.

The New York Times

Governments around the world are struggling to adapt to the scale and pace of the change.

The Economist

But the latest studies suggest many species are struggling to adapt to climate change.

The Guardian

The Huskies (3-4, 1-1) are struggling to adapt to a pro-style offense from their old spread look.

The New York Times - Sports

Liverpool, meanwhile, are struggling to adapt to life without Luis Suarez, with Mario Balotelli misfiring since his move to Anfield.

Independent

Like other tech giants, including Microsoft and Dell, Cisco is struggling to adapt to this new world.

The New York Times

"I think that's normal," City's manager, Roberto Mancini, said, when asked why Balotelli was struggling to adapt.

The New York Times - Sports

Nicolas Cage is in rare serious film-mode here as a screenwriter struggling to adapt a script.

Independent

It's a relatively young medium struggling to adapt to a vast viewing audience that respects tradition and suspects change.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group or organization struggling with change, use "struggling to adapt" to highlight their efforts and challenges in the face of new circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "struggling to adapt" in scenarios where a simple adjustment would suffice. Opt for more nuanced language to accurately depict the level of difficulty involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling to adapt" functions as a verb phrase acting as a descriptive modifier. It indicates that a subject is experiencing difficulty in the process of adapting to new conditions or circumstances. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

7%

Vice

5%

Less common in

Huffington Post

3%

The Guardian

3%

The New York Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struggling to adapt" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe difficulty in adjusting to new conditions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a verb phrase and is suitable for neutral contexts. Its frequency is very common, especially in news and media sources. While various alternatives exist, each carries slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, it's crucial to accurately reflect the level of difficulty involved and avoid overuse in simplistic contexts. Considering its versatile application and the challenges it represents, understanding the proper usage of "struggling to adapt" is vital for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding it difficult to adjust

Focuses on the difficulty experienced during the adjustment process, rather than the active struggle.

having a hard time acclimating

Emphasizes the challenge of getting used to a new environment or situation.

facing challenges in adjusting

Highlights the obstacles encountered while trying to adapt.

experiencing difficulty in adapting

Focuses on the experience of difficulty, making it slightly more formal.

finding it tough to conform

Stresses the difficulty in conforming to new standards or expectations.

grappling with adaptation

Implies a more intense struggle or wrestling with the process of adapting.

having trouble acclimatizing

Similar to acclimating, but highlights the trouble experienced.

encountering obstacles in adapting

Emphasizes the presence of specific obstacles hindering the adaptation process.

striving to adjust

Highlights the effort being made, even if unsuccessful.

challenged in adapting

Focuses on being challenged by the adaptation process, portraying it as a test.

FAQs

How can I use "struggling to adapt" in a sentence?

You can use "struggling to adapt" to describe individuals, groups, or even systems that are finding it difficult to adjust to new circumstances. For example, "The company is struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing market".

What are some alternatives to "struggling to adapt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "finding it difficult to adjust", "having a hard time acclimating", or "facing challenges in adjusting".

Is it correct to say "struggling to adapt with"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "struggling to adapt" is typically followed by "to" and then the thing being adapted to, not "with". You would say, "struggling to adapt to the new software" rather than "struggling to adapt with the new software".

What's the difference between "struggling to adapt" and "struggling to adjust"?

While similar, "struggling to adapt" often implies a more fundamental or systemic change, whereas "struggling to adjust" can refer to smaller, more personal changes.