to grapple with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to grapple with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of struggling or wrestling with a difficult problem or challenge. Example: "The team had to grapple with the unexpected challenges that arose during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added, "It's a quite scary thing to grapple with".

The New Yorker

"Politicians are going to have to grapple with that.

Independent

We continue to grapple with these questions over and over.

The New York Times

"To grapple with and understand anxiety," he says, "is, in some sense, to grapple with and understand the human condition".

The New Yorker

Puerto Rico continues to grapple with an unprecedented financial crisis.

Columbia University

Sabertooth carnivores may not have tried to grapple with prey.

University of California, Berkeley

My mind has been trying to grapple with this.

Cornell University

I enrolled in OHMA to grapple with these questions.

Columbia University

And ultimately, that's what we have to grapple with.

University of California, Berkeley

Some composers were content to grapple with more conventional implements.

The New York Times - Arts

These are all the unknowns we have to grapple with".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to grapple with", ensure the subject is capable of active engagement with the issue. It implies more than just passive awareness.

Common error

Don't use "to grapple with" for easily resolvable issues. This phrase suggests a significant mental or physical effort, not a trivial action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to grapple with" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically acting as part of a verb phrase. It signifies the act of confronting, struggling, or dealing with something challenging. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it expresses a deliberate effort to understand or overcome difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to grapple with" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive phrase that signifies engaging with a challenging problem or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While alternatives exist, "to grapple with" conveys a specific sense of active and effortful engagement. Its use implies that the subject is not merely passively encountering a problem, but actively working to understand or overcome it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to contend with

Focuses more on actively struggling or competing with something.

to struggle with

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in dealing with something.

to deal with

A more general term for handling or managing a situation.

to face up to

Highlights the act of confronting and accepting a challenge.

to wrestle with

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle.

to confront

Directly addressing and dealing with a problem or challenge.

to address

A formal way of saying to deal with or tackle something.

to tackle

Implies a proactive approach to handling a difficult issue.

to manage

Focuses on controlling and directing a situation.

to get to grips with

Primarily a British English phrase, meaning to understand and deal with a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "to grapple with" in a sentence?

Use "to grapple with" when describing a situation where someone is struggling to understand or solve a difficult problem. For example, "Politicians are going to have "to grapple with" that".

What are some alternatives to "to grapple with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to contend with", "to struggle with", or "to deal with".

Is it appropriate to use "to grapple with" in formal writing?

Yes, "to grapple with" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing complex issues. It is commonly used in academic, news, and business contexts as seen in examples from The New York Times and The Guardian.

What's the difference between "to grapple with" and "to face with"?

"To grapple with" implies a more prolonged and challenging engagement, while "to face with" suggests a direct confrontation. You grapple with complex problems, but you face immediate challenges.