What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
floundering
Example
The company has been floundering for years, unable to keep up with the competition. [floundering: verb]
Example
I'm floundering in my new job, I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. [floundering: present participle]
struggling
Example
She's been struggling with depression for years. [struggling: present participle]
Example
The family is struggling to make ends meet after losing their jobs. [struggling: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Struggling is more commonly used than floundering in everyday language. Struggling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while floundering is less common and often used in specific situations where there is a lack of direction or progress.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between floundering and struggling?
Both floundering and struggling can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but floundering may be perceived as more informal or colloquial due to its less frequent use.
