to struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

"to struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a difficult situation that someone has to face or deal with. For example: "The new immigrants had to struggle to adjust to their new environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's weird to struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

Samson seems to struggle.

The New Yorker

"We started to struggle".

The New York Times

I like to struggle".

The New Yorker

"Now you have to struggle.

The New York Times

School sport continues to struggle.

Independent

Yemenis manage to struggle along.

The Economist

They have continued to struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

But some continue to struggle".

Independent

Then Beato began to struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was not oblivious to struggle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to struggle" to describe ongoing efforts against significant challenges, whether physical, mental, or societal.

Common error

Avoid using "to struggle" when describing simple inconveniences. Opt for words like "manage", "handle", or "deal with" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to struggle" primarily functions as a verb or verbal in a sentence. It can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb, often indicating an action of striving against difficulty. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to struggle" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive phrase, primarily functioning as a verb to express the act of facing and overcoming challenges. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Encyclopedias, conveying a sense of effort, perseverance, and determination. While generally neutral, its formality leans towards informal. When using "to struggle", be mindful of overusing it in situations that describe minor inconveniences; instead, opt for alternatives like "to manage" or "to handle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to strive

Emphasizes effort and determination.

to contend

Highlights conflict or competition.

to grapple

Suggests a more physical or direct confrontation.

to face adversity

Focuses on overcoming challenging circumstances.

to encounter difficulty

States the presence of challenges in a more formal way.

to have a hard time

A more casual way of describing difficulty.

to find it difficult

Emphasizes the subjective experience of difficulty.

to labor

Focuses on hard work, often under difficult conditions.

to battle

Indicates a serious and prolonged effort against something.

to fight

Highlights active resistance against an opposing force.

FAQs

How can I use "to struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "to struggle" to describe facing difficulties or making efforts against challenges. For example, "They had "to struggle to survive" during the economic crisis".

What are some alternatives to "to struggle"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to strive", "to contend", or "to grapple" instead of "to struggle".

Is it better to say "struggling" or "to struggle"?

The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. "Struggling" is a gerund or present participle, while "to struggle" is an infinitive. For example, "He is struggling" versus "He wants to struggle".

What does it mean when someone says they "struggle" with something?

It means they find something difficult and challenging. They may be experiencing problems or having a hard time succeeding. It's similar to saying they "find it difficult" or are "having a hard time".