travails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "travails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to difficulties, struggles, or hardships that someone has experienced. Example: "The author's latest book recounts the travails of her journey through the wilderness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Portugal, meanwhile, are going through their usual qualifying travails.

The Guardian - Sport

Reader, I didn't: I went and read a New Yorker profile of Professor Mary Beard's travails with misogynistic trolls instead.

The Guardian

When Tony Blair this week told the inquiry that, at the height of her travails, he had sent Rebekah Brooks a message insisting he was "no fairweather friend", tears welled up in the eyes of more sensitive souls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Market Travails of an ambitious Turkish trader.

The Guardian - Film

There is also truth in the idea that the government's travails are not unalloyed good news for Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, two weeks out from defending his French Open title and just shy of his 29th birthday, it was no surprise to hear him dissect his travails here with typical candour.

The Guardian - Sport

Chappie's travails were nothing in comparison to those faced by poorly reviewed Vince Vaughn comedy Unfinished Business, which opened way down in 10th spot with just $4.8m.

The Guardian - Film

On the face of it, Daldry's film is pure social-realism: set during the miners' strike of 1984-1985 and focusing on the travails of a working-class family.

The Guardian - Film

The Tories could fail to be the largest single UK party in the European elections for the first time since John Major's travails in 1994.

The Guardian

However, Scottish Labour's travails span back much further than the bruising referendum campaign, which saw significant numbers of Labour supporters reject its pro-union alliance with the Conservatives and vote in favour of independence.

The Guardian

I suggest it might help the Labour party in its current travails if it could arrange a similar event for those leadership candidates vying to succeed Mr Miliband.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "travails" when you want to convey a sense of significant hardship or difficulty, particularly in a context where someone has persevered through those challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "travails" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's a more formal and literary term that can sound out of place in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "travails" functions primarily as a noun, typically in the plural form. It denotes a series of difficult or painful experiences. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is often used to describe the hardships and struggles faced by individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "travails" refers to difficult or painful experiences. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and formal contexts. While synonymous with terms like "hardships" and "struggles", "travails" carries a slightly more formal and literary tone. As Ludwig shows, the word is used to narrate or describe arduous experiences, often evoking empathy. When writing, reserve "travails" for situations involving genuine hardship, avoiding its overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardships

Implies severe suffering or deprivation, often over a prolonged period. Highlights the difficulty aspect.

struggles

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in overcoming obstacles. Emphasizes the active engagement with challenges.

adversities

Refers to unfavorable or challenging circumstances. More general in scope.

troubles

Suggests problems or difficulties, often of a less severe nature. Is broader than "travails" in scope.

difficulties

A general term for challenges or obstacles. Is less intense and vivid than "travails".

ordeals

Emphasizes the painful or horrific nature of an experience. Conveys a sense of suffering.

tribulations

Refers to experiences that test one's endurance and faith. Conveys a sense of religious or moral testing.

misfortunes

Highlights the negative or unlucky nature of events. Implies a lack of control or agency.

setbacks

Indicates temporary delays or reversals in progress. Implies that the challenges are impeding advancement.

hard times

A general term for periods of difficulty or hardship. Is less specific and formal than "travails".

FAQs

How do I use "travails" in a sentence?

Use "travails" to describe a situation marked by hardship or struggle. For example, "The book details the travails of immigrants adapting to a new country."

What are some words similar to "travails"?

Similar words include "hardships", "struggles", and "tribulations". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "travails" to describe minor inconveniences?

While technically correct, using "travails" for minor inconveniences might sound overly dramatic. It's best reserved for situations involving genuine hardship or significant difficulty.

What's the difference between "travails" and "challenges"?

"Challenges" are difficulties that can be overcome with effort. "Travails" implies a more arduous and prolonged struggle, often involving suffering or hardship. The key difference lies in the severity and impact of the difficulty being described.