desperately striving for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately striving for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong and urgent desire to achieve or obtain something. Example: "She is desperately striving for success in her career, putting in long hours and seeking every opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His donation says more about the pernicious role of private money in the U.S. political system but it also shows the pragmatism of a man desperately striving for progress in a complex environment over someone who is a staunch ideologue.

Forbes

Or, when I'm desperately striving for something, whatever it is, I tend to see what I'm doing a bit more quickly now.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Finally, often a person hears a compliment such as "You're so thin already!" or "I think you are the most attractive person I've ever met" and interpret this as an indication that the disordered eating behavior is successfully giving them what they so desperately strive for.

Duke University

Were you consciously striving for diversity?

The New York Times

Mr. Jobs was striving for perfection.

The New York Times

Clearly, striving for nonviolence is serious business.

The New York Times - Arts

"We're striving for perfection," he said.

The New York Times

They are striving for purity.

The New York Times

"That's what I'm striving for.

BBC

That is what I'm striving for.

BBC

"That's what you're striving for.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately striving for" to convey a sense of urgency and intense effort towards a specific goal, especially when the outcome is perceived as crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately striving for" in highly formal or professional documents where a more neutral tone is preferred. Opt for phrases like "earnestly seeking" or "actively pursuing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately striving for" functions as a verbal phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of intense effort and urgency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. The adverb "desperately" intensifies the verb "striving", indicating a high degree of effort driven by a strong need or desire.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately striving for" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong sense of urgency and effort towards a specific goal. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is acceptable in written English. While not very common, it appears in reputable sources such as Forbes and Vice, primarily within the News & Media context. When using "desperately striving for", be mindful of the intensity it conveys and consider alternative phrases like "earnestly seeking" or "actively pursuing" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving relentlessly for

Relentlessly emphasizes the continuous and persistent nature of the effort, which may or may not be desperate.

eagerly pursuing

This alternative emphasizes the enthusiasm and eagerness in the pursuit, shifting the focus from desperation to positive anticipation.

urgently seeking

Urgency replaces desperation in this phrase, emphasizing time sensitivity.

earnestly seeking

This phrase highlights the sincerity and seriousness of the effort, rather than the desperation.

intensely working towards

This alternative focuses on the hard work and dedication involved, minimizing the sense of desperation.

determinedly aiming for

This suggests a firm resolve and clear goal, reducing the implication of struggling against odds.

anxiously aspiring to

This phrase combines the anxiety with aspiration, but has a more formal tone.

fiercely competing for

This emphasizes the competitive aspect of the striving, which may be present in some contexts.

yearning to achieve

This shifts the focus to a deep longing, which can be a component of striving, but expresses the desire more explicitly.

aggressively pursuing

This alternative stresses a proactive and forceful approach, potentially lacking the nuance of desperation.

FAQs

What does "desperately striving for" mean?

It means to be making a very strong and urgent effort to achieve something, often because the desired outcome is seen as extremely important or necessary. The "desperately" adds a sense of urgency and perhaps anxiety to the effort.

What are some alternatives to "desperately striving for"?

You can use alternatives such as "eagerly pursuing", "earnestly seeking", or "intensely working towards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "desperately striving for" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "desperately striving for" might be too intense for some formal contexts. Consider more neutral options like "actively pursuing" or "determinedly aiming for".

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

You can use it like this: "She is desperately striving for a promotion after years of hard work," or "The company is desperately striving for new markets to increase revenue."