to be grappled with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be grappled with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a complex issue or problem that requires careful consideration or struggle to understand or resolve. Example: "The ethical implications of artificial intelligence are significant and must be grappled with by policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

These transgressions need to be grappled with.

The New York Times

"It's just beginning to be grappled with, I think," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The soft options have been adopted while the more challenging ones are yet to be grappled with.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parkinson said "base erosion and profit shifting by multinational companies" was another significant problem, one that needed to be grappled with through the G20.

The Guardian

Mills believes that the main issue to be grappled with is high school students' awareness of job opportunities.

Science Magazine

We doubt Google would explicitly make such a bold claim (and they didn't respond to our email inquiry), but the idea of information-as-a-public good is the next logical step for the Information Age and will certainly need to be grappled with in 21st century law.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Few of the kids appear to have surnames, families, or studies to be grappling with.

The New Yorker

Mr. Golub seems to be grappling with the whole idea of late art.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Skaggs seems to be grappling with relinquishing control and aging.

The New York Times - Arts

He seemed to be "grappling with the last questions about life through this character," she said.

The New York Times

Jean Louise is shown to be grappling with two things as she comes home.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be grappled with" when you want to emphasize that an issue is complex and requires significant effort to understand or resolve. For instance, "The long-term consequences of climate change need "to be grappled with" at both individual and governmental levels."

Common error

While "to be grappled with" is suitable for complex issues, avoid using it for simple or easily resolved problems. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or dramatic. A phrase like 'to be addressed' may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be grappled with" functions as an infinitive phrase followed by a preposition. It describes the necessity of engaging with something complex. Ludwig examples show it used to describe issues needing careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science & Research

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be grappled with" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. The phrase signifies that a subject is complex and needs thoughtful attention to resolve or understand, often emphasizing the challenging nature of the issue. While appropriate for formal and neutral settings, avoid overusing it in overly casual contexts. Alternatives like "to be addressed" or "to be tackled" can offer a more direct or proactive tone, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be addressed

This alternative is more direct and suggests a need for resolution or attention.

to be confronted

This alternative emphasizes a more direct and possibly challenging encounter with the issue.

to be tackled

This suggests a more proactive and problem-solving approach.

to be dealt with

This alternative is a more general term for handling a problem or situation.

to be contended with

Implies a struggle or competition when addressing the issue.

to be wrestled with

Suggests a more internal or intellectual struggle to understand the issue.

to be examined

This alternative focuses on a more analytical and investigatory approach.

to be investigated

Implies a systematic and formal inquiry into the issue.

to be thought through

This suggests a careful and thorough consideration of the issue.

to be sorted out

This conveys the idea of resolving or clarifying a complex issue.

FAQs

What does "to be grappled with" mean?

The phrase "to be grappled with" means that something needs to be addressed, confronted, or dealt with in a thoughtful and thorough manner, often because it is complex or challenging.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be grappled with"?

It's appropriate to use "to be grappled with" when referring to issues that are complex, multifaceted, or require significant intellectual or practical effort to resolve. It suggests more than a simple solution is needed.

What are some alternatives to "to be grappled with"?

Some alternatives include "to be addressed", "to be confronted", "to be tackled", or "to be dealt with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "to be grappled with" formal or informal?

"To be grappled with" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. While suitable for news and professional contexts, it might be perceived as overly elaborate in very informal settings.