be striven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be striven" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "striven" used in a different context, typically as "to be striven for" or "to strive." Example: "Success must be striven for through hard work and dedication."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the opposite of striving has to be striven for.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has made spiritual imagination — faith that goes beyond the material and the established; goodness that can be striven for and accomplished — seem consistent with secular preoccupation.

The New Yorker

While I'm glad Ellen Ripley, Sarah Connor, Lisbeth Salander and others in their mold exist, inclusiveness of the full range of the female human experience is what should be striven for in film, right alongside our male counterparts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Objectivity in historical and social sciences is, then, not a goal that can be reached with the aid of a correct method, but an ideal that must be striven for without a promise of ultimate fulfillment.

SEP

An equal distribution between treatment arms (ratio of 1 1) will be striven for.

BMC Ophthalmology

The chair should not restrict arm movements and as upright a position as possible should be striven for.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We need to always be striving.

The New York Times

Shouldn't Film4 be striving to screen something more imaginative?

Independent

"We should be striving to get it down".

The Guardian

This is where their ambition should be striving towards.

BBC

Ideally, we should be striving to educate these people.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be striven" in formal writing. Opt for more standard expressions like "should be pursued" or "needs to be achieved".

Common error

Be cautious with passive voice constructions, especially when they result in awkward or grammatically questionable phrasing. Instead of saying "that should be striven", consider rephrasing to "we should strive for that" or "that is worth striving for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be striven" functions as part of a passive construction, where an effort or action is being directed towards a specific goal or aim. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as not correct in standard written English, suggesting that alternative formulations are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be striven" is identified by Ludwig AI as not correct in standard written English. While not strictly incorrect, it's considered an awkward phrasing. Although examples can be found in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times and scientific publications, it's advisable to opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives. Phrases like "should be pursued", "needs to be achieved", or actively phrasing the sentence as "we should strive for…" provide clarity and are better accepted in formal writing. It is best to use "be striven for" or rephrase the sentence to use an active construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be pursued

Replaces "striven" with "pursued", offering a more standard and widely accepted phrasing with very close meaning.

should be aimed for

Substitutes "striven" with "aimed for", focusing on the aspirational aspect of the original phrase.

ought to be sought

Uses "sought" to convey the idea of actively looking for something, maintaining a formal tone.

needs to be achieved

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, replacing "striven" with "achieved."

must be worked towards

Emphasizes the effort required, substituting "striven" with "worked towards."

has to be attained

Replaces "striven" with "attained", indicating a goal that needs to be reached.

should be endeavored

A more formal alternative, using "endeavored" to replace "striven".

is worth striving for

Shifts the focus to the value of striving, rather than using the passive construction.

is something to aspire to

Highlights the aspirational nature of the goal, avoiding the original problematic phrasing.

deserves to be strived for

Adds emphasis on the merit of the goal, while still incorporating the verb "strive" in a more acceptable form.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "This ideal must be striven for"?

You can rephrase it to "This ideal "should be pursued"", "This ideal "needs to be achieved"", or "We should strive for this ideal".

Is "be striven" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "be striven" is an awkward phrasing and is not considered standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "be striven for" or rephrase the sentence to use an active construction.

What does "strive" mean?

"Strive" means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. It implies persistent and earnest effort, and is often used in the context of pursuing a goal or overcoming a challenge.

Which is correct, "be striven for" or "strive for"?

"Strive for" is the active form and is generally preferred. "Be striven for" is a passive construction that is less common, but may be appropriate in certain contexts. Consider the active voice for clarity and impact.