we struggled with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we struggled with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe difficulties or challenges faced in a particular situation or task. Example: "During the project, we struggled with meeting the deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We struggled with proportions.

The New York Times

"We struggled with it.

The Guardian

"We struggled with infrastructure at Pragati Maidan.

The New York Times

"We struggled with that one," she said.

The New York Times

We struggled with our French.

The Guardian

We struggled with a transition.

The New York Times

We struggled with the grammar of this tangled sentence.

The New York Times

"But after they scored the goal, we struggled with our energy, we struggled making passes".

The New York Times - Sports

"We struggled with the quickness of Pittsburgh and the style they play, with their long bombs.

The New York Times - Sports

"We executed our game plan for 40 minutes, which is something we struggled with all season.

The New York Times - Sports

We struggled with the rearing of our strong willed child but it has been worth it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we struggled with", be specific about the nature of the difficulty and the context in which it occurred to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying "We struggled with the project", specify what aspects were challenging, such as "We struggled with meeting the deadline due to unforeseen technical issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we struggled with" functions as a declarative statement expressing difficulty or challenge encountered by a group. Ludwig AI's examples show it commonly introduces a problem or obstacle faced in a specific context. The Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

12%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we struggled with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a group or team experienced difficulties or challenges. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to describe past struggles. When using this phrase, it's helpful to be specific about the nature of the difficulty to provide clarity. While alternatives like "we had difficulty with" or "we faced challenges with" exist, "we struggled with" effectively conveys effort and perseverance in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had difficulty with

Replaces "struggled" with a more direct expression of difficulty.

we faced challenges with

Uses "faced challenges" to emphasize the active confrontation of difficulties.

we encountered problems with

Substitutes "struggled" with "encountered problems", highlighting the unexpected nature of the issues.

we had a hard time with

Replaces "struggled" with a more colloquial expression of difficulty.

we found it difficult to

Shifts the focus to the experience of difficulty rather than the struggle itself.

we had issues with

Uses "issues" as a softer alternative to "struggled", suitable for less formal contexts.

we battled with

Emphasizes the effort and conflict involved in overcoming the difficulty.

we wrestled with

Highlights a prolonged and complex struggle.

we grappled with

Similar to "wrestled with", but suggests a more intellectual or abstract struggle.

we contended with

Implies a more formal or competitive struggle.

FAQs

What does "we struggled with" mean?

The phrase "we struggled with" means that a group or team experienced difficulties or challenges while trying to accomplish something. It implies effort and a degree of hardship in dealing with a particular task or situation.

What can I say instead of "we struggled with"?

You can use alternatives like "we had difficulty with", "we faced challenges with", or "we encountered problems with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we struggled with" or "we had problems with"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "we struggled with" suggests a more intense and prolonged effort compared to "we had problems with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "we struggled with" in a sentence?

You can use "we struggled with" to describe difficulties encountered in various situations. For example, "We struggled with the budget constraints throughout the project", or "We struggled with the new software at first, but eventually got the hang of it."