a striving for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a striving for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone's effort or attempt to achieve something. Example sentence: The novel's central theme is a striving for love and acceptance in a harsh and unforgiving world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

A résumé like that almost guarantees heavy-hitting techniques, as well as a striving for innovation.

The New York Times - Food

At times, in a striving for nobility, the performance lost tension and seemed subdued.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet here as in many other pieces, a striving for serenity and enlightenment made up the theme.

The New York Times - Arts

Loach wanted to be a lawyer; I ask if this was out of a striving for justice, and he laughs.

The Guardian - Film

This is unfair, not just because he had a dazzling finger technique, but because he never allowed a striving for accuracy to distract him from the bigger picture.

The Guardian

At its core is a striving for unity and an observance of the connectedness of past and present, the body and the world.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And it's kind of like a strive for perfection, and for making myself better.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many people unable to admit to mistakes suffer from a strive for "perfection".

WikiHow

Roth's Berlin is a city striving for a blind modernity amid shame and nostalgia.

The Guardian - Books

A desperate striving for normalcy in depraved surroundings.

The New York Times

The whole saga has the air of a desperate striving for peace.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a striving for", ensure that the noun following 'for' accurately reflects the intended goal or objective. For example, "a striving for excellence" is more specific and impactful than "a striving for success."

Common error

Avoid using "a striving for" with verbs. It's grammatically incorrect to say "a striving for to achieve". Instead, use "a striving to achieve" or "a striving for achievement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a striving for" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a general aim or ambition, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It encapsulates the idea of making an effort to achieve a particular goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a striving for" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes an effort or ambition. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to indicate the act of trying to achieve a particular goal. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals it's commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic content, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. While the phrase is considered common, writers should ensure correct usage by following it with a noun that reflects the intended objective and avoiding the incorrect form of "a striving for to achieve". Alternatives like "an aspiration for" or "a pursuit of" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Ultimately, "a striving for" is a versatile phrase for expressing dedication and ambition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an aspiration for

Emphasizes a strong desire or ambition.

an endeavor to achieve

Highlights the effort and attempt to accomplish something specific.

a pursuit of

Focuses on the act of chasing or seeking something.

an ambition for

Stresses the strong desire for success or attainment.

an attempt at

Highlights the act of trying, often implying a possibility of failure.

a quest for

Suggests a long and arduous search.

a drive toward

Emphasizes the internal motivation and direction of effort.

an urge for

Implies a strong, irresistible impulse.

an inclination to

Suggests a natural tendency or preference.

a tendency toward

Highlights a prevailing direction or habit.

FAQs

How can I use "a striving for" in a sentence?

Use "a striving for" to describe an ongoing effort or ambition. For example: "Her life was marked by "a striving for justice"." or "The company demonstrated "a striving for innovation" in its product development."

What are some alternatives to "a striving for"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an aspiration for", "a pursuit of", or "an endeavor to achieve".

Is "striving for" or "strive for" correct?

"Striving for" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses or as a gerund (noun). "Strive for" is the base form of the verb, used in the infinitive or imperative. "A striving for" uses the gerund form as part of a noun phrase.

What's the difference between "a striving for" and "a struggle for"?

"A striving for" implies effort and ambition towards a goal, whereas "a struggle for" suggests a difficult and contested effort, often involving opposition or obstacles. The former emphasizes aspiration, the latter emphasizes conflict.