Is "contend with" separable?

No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb; the object always comes after "with."

Can I use "contend with" in casual conversation?

Yes, but it is more common in formal or written English.

What are some common objects with "contend with"?

Problems, challenges, difficulties, obstacles, criticism, and competition.

How is "contend with" different from "deal with"?

"Contend with" suggests more effort or struggle, while "deal with" is more neutral.

Contend with sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use Correctly

What Does “Contend with sth” Mean?

“Contend with sth” means to struggle against or deal with a difficult problem or situation. It often refers to facing challenges or obstacles.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “contend with sth” is commonly used when talking about handling difficulties or problems. Understanding the contend with sth meaning helps learners express how they manage challenges in daily life. Whether it is dealing with a heavy workload, a tough opponent, or an unexpected issue, this phrase is useful for both spoken and written English. It emphasizes effort and struggle, showing that the person is actively trying to overcome something. Using “contend with sth” correctly can improve your communication skills and make your English sound more natural and expressive.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: contend with something
Type: transitive
Level: B2
Short meaning: to deal with or struggle against a problem or difficulty

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Contend with sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot separate the verb and the particle with an object. The structure is always:

contend + with + noun/pronoun

Examples:

She contends with many challenges at work.
They had to contend with bad weather during the trip.

How to Use “Contend with sth”?

Use “contend with sth” when you want to express that someone is facing or struggling to manage a problem, obstacle, or difficult situation. It is often used in formal or semi-formal contexts but can appear in everyday speech as well.

Common subjects include people, groups, or organizations. The object (“sth”) is usually a problem, difficulty, or challenge.

Examples

She had to contend with a lot of criticism after her presentation.
The company is contending with financial difficulties this quarter.
Farmers often contend with unpredictable weather conditions.
He is contending with a serious illness but stays positive.
Contend with sth in a sentence: “We must contend with the rising costs of living.”

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: She contends a lot of problems.
Correct: She contends with a lot of problems.
Incorrect: They contend the issue alone.
Correct: They contend with the issue alone.
Incorrect: He contends it strongly.
Correct: He contends with it strongly.

Differences / Synonyms

Contend with sth vs deal with sth: Both mean handling a problem, but “contend with” implies more struggle or effort, while “deal with” is more neutral.

Contend with sth vs cope with sth: “Cope with” focuses on managing to survive or function despite difficulty, often with emotional strength. “Contend with” highlights the active struggle against a challenge.

Contend with sth vs struggle with sth: “Struggle with” emphasizes difficulty and hardship more strongly, sometimes implying failure, whereas “contend with” suggests persistent effort.

Common Collocations

contend with problems
contend with challenges
contend with difficulties
contend with criticism
contend with obstacles
contend with competition
contend with issues

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of contend with sth:

Contend With Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: How are you managing the new project?

John: It’s tough. I have to contend with tight deadlines and limited resources.

Anna: That sounds stressful. Are you getting any support?

John: A little, but mostly I’m just trying to handle everything myself.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “contend with”:

The team had to ________ unexpected delays during the event.
Many students ________ stress during exam season.
She is ________ criticism after her decision.
Farmers often ________ harsh weather conditions.

FAQs

What does “contend with sth” mean? It means to struggle against or deal with a difficult problem or situation.
Is “contend with” separable? No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb; the object always comes after “with.”
Can I use “contend with” in casual conversation? Yes, but it is more common in formal or written English.
What are some common objects with “contend with”? Problems, challenges, difficulties, obstacles, criticism, and competition.
How is “contend with” different from “deal with”? “Contend with” suggests more effort or struggle, while “deal with” is more neutral.