struggling
struggling — adjective
1. trying hard to succeed despite serious problems or a lack of success so far
trying hard to succeed despite serious problems or a lack of success so far
The struggling bookstore stayed open late to attract more customers.
struggling + noun describing a business
Wei enrolled in a special program for struggling readers at the local library.
struggling + noun describing a person
Donations helped keep the struggling community centre open through the winter.
A struggling farmer in the region had to sell half of his land last year.
- failing
stronger and more negative than 'struggling'; suggests collapse is imminent
- floundering
suggests confusion and lack of direction, not just financial or academic difficulty
- thriving
doing very well and growing
- prospering
succeeding financially or in general
文法句型
struggling + noun
用法筆記
Almost always placed before the noun it modifies, not after a linking verb. You say 'a struggling business', not 'the business is struggling' — though the verb form is fine for predicative use.
struggling — verb
1. using a lot of physical or mental energy to deal with a difficult situation or t
using a lot of physical or mental energy to deal with a difficult situation or to achieve something
The mountaineers were struggling against strong winds as they climbed the final ridge.
struggling + against + noun (adversity)
Aisha spent months struggling to finish her thesis before the university deadline.
struggling + to-infinitive
New parents often find themselves struggling with a lack of sleep and a tight budget.
The rescue team kept struggling through the mud to reach the stranded hikers.
Having missed the earlier bus, Kenji was struggling to get to the airport on time.
- coasting
moving forward without effort
文法句型
struggling + to-infinitive
struggling + with/against/for + noun
用法筆記
The preposition after 'struggling' changes the focus: 'with' introduces the problem itself, 'against' introduces an opposing force, and 'for' introduces the goal.
常見錯誤
2. pulling, pushing, or carrying something that is heavy or stuck and hard to move
pulling, pushing, or carrying something that is heavy or stuck and hard to move
Diego was struggling with a suitcase that was far too heavy for one person to lift.
struggling with + physical object
The movers struggled to get the old piano through the narrow hallway.
struggled to + verb of moving
Olga struggled with the stuck window until it finally slid open with a loud creak.
A young deer was struggling in the deep snow near the edge of the forest.
文法句型
struggling + with + noun phrase
struggling + preposition + noun phrase
常見錯誤
3. using physical force against someone while trying to take something from them, o
using physical force against someone while trying to take something from them, or to free yourself from their hold
Two children were struggling over a toy truck in the sandbox at the park.
struggling over + object competed for
Tariq struggled with the thief for control of his bag outside the train station.
struggling with + person + for + object
The security guard and the intruder struggled briefly before help arrived.
A fisherman who fell overboard struggled to free himself from the tangled netting.
文法句型
struggling + with + person + for + thing
常見錯誤
4. experiencing a situation where you are not achieving the results you want, espec
experiencing a situation where you are not achieving the results you want, especially in business, studies, or health
The restaurant has been struggling to attract enough diners since the new road closed access.
struggling + to-infinitive for lack of success
After losing three major clients, the small design firm was struggling to pay its staff.
Amina's grandfather was struggling with his health after the long stay in hospital.
Many small coffee shops are struggling to compete against the big chain stores.
- failing
stronger and more final; 'struggling' implies there is still a chance of recovery
- foundering
suggests complete collapse is about to happen; more dramatic than 'struggling'
- thriving
growing and doing very well
- succeeding
achieving the desired results
文法句型
be struggling + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (MAKE GREAT EFFORT), this sense emphasises the LACK of success rather than the effort itself. The effort may still be present, but the focus is on the failing outcome.
常見錯誤
struggling — noun
1. a situation in which two or more people or groups use physical force against eac
a situation in which two or more people or groups use physical force against each other
A brief struggle broke out between the two drivers after the minor car accident.
struggle + broke out + between
The security footage showed a short struggle for the woman's handbag at the bus stop.
struggle + for + object
The police report mentioned bruises on his arms from the struggle with the escaping suspect.
No one was hurt in the struggle, but the classroom chairs were knocked over.
文法句型
a struggle + between/with + people
struggle + for + object
2. something that requires a lot of physical or mental effort to achieve or overcom
something that requires a lot of physical or mental effort to achieve or overcome
Getting the old car up the hill was a real struggle for the small engine.
a struggle for + noun
For the elderly woman, climbing the stairs to her third-floor flat was a daily struggle.
Learning Chinese characters proved to be a struggle for the newly arrived exchange students.
The family's struggle against poverty lasted many years before their business finally took off.
Making ends meet on a single income became an increasing struggle for the young parents.
- breeze
informal; something that is very easy
- walk in the park
idiom; something very easy to do
文法句型
a struggle + to-infinitive
struggle + with/against + noun
用法筆記
Often found in the pattern 'it is a struggle + to-infinitive', highlighting how difficult a task is for someone.