- Have you ever felt like you’re “fighting” with a new language but didn’t know the right word to describe it?
- Do you find yourself confused about whether to say “struggle with” or “struggle for”?
- Are you looking for more natural ways to describe difficult situations beyond just saying something is “hard”?
Mastering struggle collocations is a game-changer for English learners. In English, “struggle” is a high-frequency word used to describe everything from minor daily inconveniences to major life challenges. Understanding which words naturally “cluster” around “struggle” will help you move away from literal translations and toward the fluid, idiomatic English used by native speakers in 2024.
Common Collocations with STRUGGLE as a Verb
When used as a verb, “struggle” describes the action of making a great effort to overcome a challenge. It is frequently followed by specific prepositions or adverbs that change its nuance.
1. Struggle + Prepositions (With, Against, For)
These are the most common patterns used to identify the source of the difficulty.
- Struggle with: Used for internal difficulties, mental health, or specific tasks.
Example: Many students struggle with complex calculus equations. - Struggle against: Used when there is an external force or opposing group.
Example: The small business had to struggle against rising inflation. - Struggle for: Used when you are trying to obtain something vital.
Example: The trapped hikers had to struggle for breath in the thin mountain air.
2. Struggle + Infinitive (Struggle to…)
This pattern is used to describe an action that is difficult to complete.
- Struggle to cope: Finding it hard to manage stress or a situation.
Example: After the move, he struggled to cope with the new environment. - Struggle to make ends meet: A very common idiom for financial difficulty.
Example: Even with two jobs, they struggle to make ends meet. - Struggle to find: Difficulty in locating something tangible or intangible.
Example: I struggle to find the right words during interviews.
3. Adverbs + Struggle
Adverbs tell us how someone is struggling.
- Desperately struggle: Showing extreme need or urgency.
Example: The company is desperately struggling to regain its market share. - Continually struggle: A problem that doesn’t go away.
Example: She continually struggles with her punctuality. - Manfully struggle: (Modern usage: showing bravery) To deal with a hard situation with spirit.
Example: He manfully struggled on despite his injury.
Essential Collocations using STRUGGLE as a Noun
As a noun, “struggle” refers to the situation or the conflict itself. It is often described by adjectives that indicate the intensity or the duration of the challenge.
1. Adjective + Struggle
- Uphill struggle: A very common idiom for a task that is difficult and exhausting from start to finish.
Example: Getting the budget approved will be an uphill struggle. - Constant struggle: A challenge that is always present.
Example: For many, losing weight is a constant struggle. - Power struggle: A situation where people compete for control (common in office/politics).
Example: There is a major power struggle happening in the boardroom. - Life-and-death struggle: A very serious, high-stakes situation.
Example: The surgery was a life-and-death struggle for the patient.
2. Verb + Struggle
- Face a struggle: To encounter a challenge.
Example: Young graduates face a struggle when entering the job market. - Abandon the struggle: To stop trying or give up.
Example: After three hours, the team finally abandoned the struggle to fix the server. - Continue the struggle: To keep trying despite the odds.
Example: They vowed to continue the struggle for equal rights.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Struggle with | Verb Phrase | To have difficulty with a specific task or topic. |
| Uphill struggle | Noun Phrase | A very difficult, exhausting challenge. |
| Struggle to (do) | Verb Phrase | Finding an action difficult to complete. |
| Power struggle | Noun Phrase | A conflict over who is in charge. |
| Struggle against | Verb Phrase | To resist or fight an external force. |
| Constant struggle | Noun Phrase | A difficulty that never seems to end. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I struggle the English grammar. | I struggle with English grammar. |
| It was a high struggle. | It was an uphill struggle. |
| I struggle for walking after the injury. | I struggle to walk after the injury. |
| He has a big struggle in his life. | He is facing a major struggle in his life. |
“When I first started my business, it was a constant struggle to find clients who trusted a new brand. I struggled to cope with the long hours, and I often struggled with self-doubt. However, I knew that if I didn’t continue the struggle, I would never see my vision come to life. Today, looking back, that uphill struggle was exactly what I needed to build my resilience.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Struggle Collocations
Is it “struggle with” or “struggle to”?
Use “struggle with” followed by a noun (e.g., “struggle with anxiety”). Use “struggle to” followed by a verb (e.g., “struggle to breathe”). Both are correct but serve different grammatical functions.
What is the difference between “struggle against” and “struggle with”?
“Struggle with” is usually for personal or internal issues (problems, homework, feelings). “Struggle against” implies a more active resistance against an external enemy, system, or physical force (struggle against the tide, struggle against oppression).
Can “struggle” be used in a positive way?
While “struggle” usually implies difficulty, it is often used in motivational contexts to show growth. Phrases like “the struggle is part of the journey” suggest that overcoming difficulties leads to success.
What does “struggle to make ends meet” mean?
This is a specific financial collocation. It means having just enough money—or not quite enough—to pay for basic essentials like food and rent.
Is “striving” the same as “struggling”?
Not exactly. “Striving” has a more positive, goal-oriented connotation (trying hard to achieve greatness). “Struggling” emphasizes the pain, difficulty, or potential for failure in the process.
Could 'struggle for' also imply 'struggle to achieve' something? For example, 'The small business struggled for survival.'
I'm a native speaker, but I still learned a lot from the precise definitions and examples here. It's easy to use words without fully understanding their specific nuances. Great content!
David, thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted that even native speakers can find value in delving deeper into the nuances of English. It's a testament to the richness and complexity of the language, and we appreciate you taking the time to engage with our content.
I love how this article emphasizes moving away from literal translations. That's been my biggest hurdle in English! This makes me want to find more common collocations.
Can we also say 'struggle through something' in a metaphorical sense, like 'struggle through a dense book'?
Yes, Ravi, absolutely! 'Struggle through' is very versatile and frequently used metaphorically. Your example 'struggle through a dense book' is excellent; it perfectly conveys the effort required to read and comprehend challenging material. It can also be used for 'struggle through a boring meeting' or 'struggle through a tough workout.' It means to get to the end of something difficult. Great question!
I sometimes find myself 'struggling to find the right words'. Is that a correct usage? It seems to fit the 'struggle with' idea.
Is there a difference in formality between 'struggle with' and something like 'grapple with'? Or are they interchangeable in some contexts?
That's a sophisticated question, Kai! While 'struggle with' and 'grapple with' are similar in meaning (dealing with a difficult problem), 'grapple with' often suggests a more intense, sustained, or intellectual effort to understand or resolve something complex. 'Grapple with a concept' or 'grapple with a moral dilemma' are common. 'Struggle with' is more general and can apply to a wider range of difficulties, from simple tasks to complex issues. 'Grapple with' is perhaps slightly more formal or implies a deeper level of engagement with the difficulty. Great thinking!
I'm preparing for the IELTS exam, and this distinction between 'struggle with' and 'struggle against' is super important for both writing and speaking. Thank you for making it so clear!
This is so true! When I first moved to an English-speaking country, I realized how much I was relying on direct translations. Articles like this help immensely with understanding the nuances.
Paul, your experience perfectly illustrates the challenge and reward of language immersion. Direct translation can only get you so far, and understanding natural collocations is truly the key to unlocking authentic communication. We're delighted to be part of your learning journey and help you navigate those nuances!
Can 'struggle' be used transitively without a preposition sometimes? Like, 'The team struggled the ball down the field' or is that incorrect?
I often hear 'struggling' as an adjective, like 'a struggling artist' or 'a struggling economy'. Is that also part of collocations with STRUGGLE?
Absolutely, Hiroshi! That's a fantastic observation. While this article focused on 'struggle' as a verb, 'struggling' is indeed a very common adjective derived from the verb 'to struggle.' 'A struggling artist' means an artist who is having difficulty making ends meet or finding success, and 'a struggling economy' describes an economy facing significant challenges. It's an excellent example of how different forms of a word can have their own sets of collocations. Great insight!