struggling to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing difficulty in making a decision or coming to a conclusion about something. Example: "The committee is struggling to determine the best course of action for the project moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a question many educators are struggling to determine.

Stanford University

Experts are struggling to determine why the latest outbreak is proving so aggressive.

The Guardian

Many prohibit them, while others are struggling to determine their stance.

The New York Times

Institutions are struggling to determine what sort of valuation metrics they are going to use on technology stocks".

The New York Times

Three months after Sept. 11, Madison Avenue continues struggling to determine the right tone, approach and content for post-attack campaigns.

The New York Times

One can picture Bach struggling to determine whether his "almost continual vexation" stemmed from his person or his office — from vanity or duty.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ahmed also spoke vaguely of another planned operation, and intelligence and law enforcement officials in Europe say they are struggling to determine its nature and location.

The New York Times

The minimum wage debate is misdirected – among both the workers demanding higher wages and the politicians struggling to determine the minimum wage.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems to me that Americans have been struggling to determine the value of black life, and black people, since then.

University of California, Berkeley

Executives and managers who are struggling to determine how to deal with difficult customers would be wise to begin by examining the potential triggers of seemingly difficult behavior.

Harvard University

Scientists are now struggling to determine why melamine, a chemical that is not believed to be toxic, may have turned poisonous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggling to determine", ensure the context clearly indicates who is struggling and what they are trying to determine. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "struggling to determine" in highly informal contexts where simpler phrases like "trying to figure out" might be more appropriate. Assess your audience and adjust your language accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling to determine" functions as a verbal phrase that typically acts as part of a clause's predicate. It describes an ongoing effort or difficulty in ascertaining or deciding something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

27%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggling to determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the difficulty of making a decision or ascertaining information. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various domains, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Consider alternatives such as "finding it difficult to ascertain" or "having trouble figuring out" to better fit different communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding it difficult to ascertain

Emphasizes the difficulty in discovering or establishing something definitively.

having trouble figuring out

Suggests a more informal and conversational tone when facing a problem.

grappling with how to decide

Highlights the active process of wrestling with a decision.

experiencing difficulty in deciding

A more formal way of expressing trouble in making a choice.

contending with the problem of deciding

Implies a sense of actively opposing or combating the difficulty of making a decision.

facing challenges in ascertaining

Focuses on the difficulties encountered when trying to find something out for certain.

endeavoring to resolve

Stresses the effort made to resolve a problem, particularly when a decision is difficult to reach.

endeavoring to discover

Stresses the effort made to discover something that is difficult to find.

working hard to resolve

Emphasizes the effort made to find something that is difficult to find.

wrestling with

Implies a difficult debate or decision-making process.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggling to determine" to describe a situation where someone is finding it difficult to reach a decision or conclusion. For example: "Researchers are struggling to determine the long-term effects of the new treatment."

What can I say instead of "struggling to determine"?

You can use alternatives like "finding it difficult to ascertain", "having trouble figuring out", or "grappling with how to decide" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "struggling to determine" or "trying to determine"?

Both phrases are correct, but "struggling to determine" implies a greater level of difficulty or effort than "trying to determine". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual situation.

What's the difference between "struggling to determine" and "unable to determine"?

"Struggling to determine" suggests an ongoing effort to find an answer, while "unable to determine" implies a current inability to find an answer, without necessarily indicating ongoing effort.