What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effort
Example
She put a lot of effort into her studies and got good grades. [effort: noun]
Example
He made an effort to be more punctual by setting reminders. [effort: noun]
struggle
Example
She struggled to lift the heavy box onto the shelf. [struggled: verb]
Example
He had a long struggle with addiction before seeking help. [struggle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Effort is more commonly used than struggle in everyday language. Effort is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while struggle is less common and often used in more specific or intense situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effort and struggle?
Both effort and struggle can be used in formal and informal contexts, but effort is generally more neutral and can be used in various levels of formality, while struggle can be more informal or emotive.