struggling to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing difficulty or challenges faced while attempting to accomplish a task or goal. Example: "She is struggling to do her homework on time due to various distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm struggling to do so.

The Economist

Now it is struggling to do so.

The Economist

I'm just struggling to do it.

The Guardian - Sport

These days many lawyers are struggling to do so.

The Economist

Outside of Apple, many are struggling to do this".

The Guardian - Tech

Instead, federal bankruptcy judges have spent years struggling to do it themselves.

The New York Times

President Obama and Mitt Romney have been struggling to do that.

The New York Times

The data on TFP show that it is struggling to do that.

The Economist

And after years of struggling to do so, he has thoroughly won over most Yankees fans.

The New York Times

Seeing myself limping around and struggling to do everyday things was tough".

The New York Times - Sports

And, while you're struggling to do better, rediscover an abiding interest in foreign affairs.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggling to do", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific task or action that is proving difficult. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "struggling to do" without specifying what exactly is causing the difficulty. Being specific adds more value to the statement, instead of saying something vague like "They are struggling to do better".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling to do" functions as a verbal phrase indicating difficulty in performing an action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, from personal challenges to broader societal or organizational difficulties. The phrase often introduces an explanation of why the struggle exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggling to do" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express difficulty or challenges in performing an action. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, remember to be specific about the task and the reasons for the struggle. Alternatives such as "finding it difficult to do" can be used to convey similar meanings. The phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal communication and is an essential part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding it difficult to do

Emphasizes the difficulty encountered while attempting something.

having a hard time doing

Highlights the hardship experienced during the action.

experiencing difficulty in doing

Focuses on the experience of facing difficulty.

finding it challenging to do

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging', suggesting a demanding task.

grappling with doing

Implies a more intense struggle or confrontation with the task.

laboring to do

Suggests strenuous effort and hard work to accomplish something.

striving to do, but failing

Adds the dimension of failure into the struggling attempt.

contending with doing

Highlights the act of dealing or competing with difficulty.

encountering obstacles in doing

Focuses on the barriers that complicate the action.

facing challenges to do

Directly points out the presence of challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggling to do" to describe difficulty in performing an action. For example, "He is struggling to do his homework" or "The company is "struggling to do" its best to meet deadlines".

What are some alternatives to "struggling to do"?

Alternatives include phrases like "finding it difficult to do", "having a hard time doing", or "experiencing difficulty in doing". Each offers a slightly different nuance but conveys the same core meaning of difficulty.

When is it appropriate to use "struggling to do"?

"Struggling to do" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the effort and difficulty involved in performing a task. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "struggling to do" and "trying to do"?

"Struggling to do" implies a higher level of difficulty and effort compared to "trying to do". "Trying to do" simply means making an attempt, while ""struggling to do"" suggests facing significant challenges in the process.