wrangling with

USAGE SUMMARY

"wrangling with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when talking about trying to manage difficult emotions, thoughts, or situations. For example, "She was wrangling with the decision of whether to stay or move away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Perelman has also recently been wrangling with federal regulators.

The New York Times

She also found herself wrangling with the survey responses.

The Guardian

The wrangling with the vines, it's all physical.

The New Yorker

People start wrangling with you when you become shouty.

The Guardian - Arts

They don't play so well together, two assertive extroverts wrangling with each other.

The New York Times

I was so excited to see him there, wrangling with a large bird of prey!

The New Yorker

Instead of wrangling with his allies, he simply unveiled his programme before consulting them.

The Economist

Then came some wrangling with the factory's manager and part owner, Alexander Mikheev.

The New York Times

The arcane art of wrangling with a text parser fell out of popular favour.

The Guardian - Tech

But, while her parents are wrangling with their would-be captors, Jyn gets away.

The New Yorker

I'm seriously wrangling with an idea that I'm to express in a particular form".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wrangling with", ensure the object of the preposition 'with' is a challenge, problem, or opponent that requires effort to manage or overcome. For example, "wrangling with a complex legal issue".

Common error

Avoid using "wrangling with" when a simpler term like "dealing with" or "handling" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or complicated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wrangling with" is that of a phrasal verb used to describe the action of dealing with something or someone in a way that requires significant effort and negotiation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wrangling with" is a commonly used phrasal verb that accurately conveys the act of grappling with a difficult situation or opponent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to ensure that the situation warrants the intensity that "wrangling with" implies, avoiding its use in scenarios where simpler alternatives like "dealing with" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a neutral tone, fitting for general communication, though potentially less suited for formal academic settings where precision is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle with

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in dealing with something.

quarrelling with

Emphasizes a more heated and emotional disagreement.

bickering with

Focuses on petty arguments or disagreements.

strife with

Suggests a prolonged and bitter conflict or struggle.

quibbling with

Implies arguing over minor details or trivial matters.

dispute with

Highlights a formal disagreement or legal conflict.

infighting with

Focuses on internal conflicts within a group or organization.

rivalry with

Emphasizes competition and antagonism between parties.

disagreement with

Indicates a difference in opinion or perspective.

discussion with

Suggests a more formal and less confrontational exchange.

FAQs

How can I use "wrangling with" in a sentence?

You can use "wrangling with" to describe the act of struggling or grappling with a difficult problem, person, or situation. For example, "The negotiator spent hours "wrangling with" the demands of the opposing party".

What are some alternatives to "wrangling with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "struggling with", "grappling with", or "contending with" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "wrangling against" instead of "wrangling with"?

While "wrangling" can sometimes imply opposition, "wrangling with" is the more common and idiomatic way to express struggling or negotiating with something or someone. "Wrangling against" is less frequently used and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "wrangling with" and "dealing with"?

"Wrangling with" suggests a more intense and effortful struggle or negotiation, while "dealing with" implies a more general and potentially less challenging handling of a situation. "Wrangling" emphasizes the difficulty and complexity involved.