struggling with

USAGE SUMMARY

"struggling with" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone having difficulty with something, as in: My son is struggling with his math homework.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Struggling with major depression?

The New York Times - Health

I'm struggling with it.

The Guardian

Nadal struggling with his serve?

The New York Times - Sports

He was struggling with alcoholism.

The Guardian - Sport

He's been struggling with injuries.

Independent

Nadal struggling with his inner flame?

The New York Times - Sports

Still, he was struggling with the decision.

The New Yorker

Others are struggling with the same problem.

The New Yorker

"Everyone is struggling with the same problem".

The New York Times

Both were struggling with their sexuality.

The New York Times

"We've been struggling with that this year".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggling with" to clearly and directly express that someone or something is facing difficulties. Ensure the context provides enough information about the nature of the struggle for clarity.

Common error

While "struggling with" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "contending with" or "grappling with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling with" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase acting as an adjective, often describing a state of difficulty or challenge. It's commonly used to indicate that someone or something is encountering problems or obstacles, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Struggling with" is a versatile and common phrase used to express difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic settings. Common errors include overuse in formal writing, where synonyms like "contending with" or "grappling with" might be more appropriate. Remember to use it to directly convey a state of difficulty, ensuring context provides sufficient clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Having difficulty with

Replaces "struggling" with a more direct expression of difficulty.

Grappling with

Implies a more active and intense effort to overcome a problem.

Contending with

Suggests facing and dealing with something challenging or adversarial.

Facing challenges with

Highlights the presence of obstacles or difficulties.

Dealing with difficulties in

Emphasizes the act of managing or handling problems.

Experiencing problems with

Focuses on the occurrence and presence of issues.

Striving with

Indicates a persistent effort despite obstacles, shifting the focus to effort.

Having a hard time with

An informal way to express difficulty, suitable for casual contexts.

Battling with

Conveys a sense of active conflict or struggle.

Laboring under

Suggests being burdened or weighed down by something.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggling with" to describe someone facing difficulties or challenges, for example: "He is struggling with his math homework" or "The company is "grappling with" financial difficulties".

What are some alternatives to "struggling with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "having difficulty with", "contending with", or ""grappling with"" to express a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "struggling with"?

Yes, "struggling with" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It's a verb phrase that describes facing challenges or difficulties.

What's the difference between "struggling with" and "struggling against"?

"Struggling with" generally refers to an internal or external challenge one is facing, while "struggling against" implies a more direct opposition or conflict with something. For example, "struggling with depression" vs. "struggling against injustice".