struggling with reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggling with reading" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is having difficulty or challenges in reading, whether it be comprehension, fluency, or decoding text. Example: "Many children face challenges in their early education, and some may be struggling with reading at their grade level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Jon Snow supports the charity Beanstalk, which provides one-to-one literacy support in primary schools to children struggling with reading.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Burt's reading scheme has been used by many schools to provide extra consolidation for pupils in key stage 2 who are struggling with reading, based on the letters and sounds system.

The Guardian

Instead of having a child who may be struggling with reading to try to sound out words for a human tutor, the children read stories to a visiting dog, who sits patiently and listens, George-Michalson explains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The government introduced it to ensure schools were identifying pupils struggling with reading.

BBC

A test that measures how the brain of a 3-year-old responds to sounds in a noisy environment predicts the child's odds of struggling with reading a year later, Pacific Standard reports.

Science Magazine

Their elder brother has been going to a special ed school for five years and for the same number of years he's been struggling with reading.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Terry's books have been devoured by my son who struggled with reading anything else.

The Guardian - Books

While Caine can handle money and do basic math in a flash, he struggles with reading at his elementary school.

The New York Times

What Ms. Boland Did and Why, in Her Own Words As my school's reading specialist, I work with students who struggle with reading comprehension.

The New York Times

Early on, he struggled with reading Manning, who develops telepathy, even with young receivers who feel as if the offense is a foreign language.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can zoom in... if you struggle with reading in a book your vision goes but on a screen you can scroll down how you'd like.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's difficulties in reading, be specific. Instead of just saying someone is "struggling with reading", specify the aspect they're struggling with, such as comprehension, fluency, or decoding.

Common error

Avoid attributing the "struggle with reading" to a single cause. Reading difficulties can stem from various factors, including dyslexia, lack of access to resources, or inadequate instruction. Be mindful of the complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggling with reading" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating difficulty in the act of reading. It modifies a subject (often a person) by attributing to them a challenge or impediment in their reading ability. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggling with reading" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe difficulties in reading. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency across various sources, including news, scientific publications, and wikis, highlights its widespread use. While several alternatives exist, such as "having difficulty reading" or "finding reading challenging", "struggling with reading" effectively conveys the sense of challenge or difficulty in the reading process. When using this phrase, be specific about the aspect of reading that is challenging and avoid overgeneralizing the cause. Consider context of use and be mindful of the range of sources that employ "struggling with reading", ensuring appropriate use in diverse written and spoken environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having difficulty reading

Replaces the word "struggling" with a direct synonym, "having difficulty", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

finding reading challenging

Substitutes "struggling with" with "finding challenging", slightly changing the tone to focus on the challenging aspect.

experiencing reading difficulties

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "struggling with" with "experiencing difficulties", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

facing reading challenges

Similar to "experiencing reading difficulties", but uses "facing" to emphasize the active confrontation of challenges.

having a hard time reading

Employs a more informal and conversational tone, using "having a hard time" instead of "struggling with".

contending with reading

This version is semantically similar, but less frequent and may sound more elevated or literary.

grappling with reading

Implies a more intense effort or struggle than "struggling with", suggesting a more significant challenge.

encountering obstacles in reading

Focuses on the presence of obstacles, making the challenge more externalized.

challenged by reading

Emphasizes the feeling of being challenged by the act of reading, shifting the focus to the individual's experience.

not proficient in reading

This alternative focuses on the lack of proficiency as the reason for the struggle.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggling with reading" to describe someone who finds reading difficult. For instance, "The student is struggling with reading comprehension and needs extra support".

What are some alternative ways to say "struggling with reading"?

Alternatives include "having difficulty reading", "finding reading challenging", or "experiencing reading difficulties".

What's the difference between "struggling with reading" and "having difficulty with reading"?

"Struggling with reading" and "having difficulty reading" are very similar. The first might imply a more intense or ongoing challenge, but they are often interchangeable.

Is it better to say "struggling to read" or "struggling with reading"?

Both are acceptable, but "struggling with reading" is more common when referring to the overall process or skill of reading. "Struggling to read" might be used when referring to a specific instance or task.