plain striving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain striving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a straightforward or unembellished effort towards a goal or objective. Example: "In the face of adversity, her plain striving for success inspired those around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One organizer made it plain that HUCTW was striving to maintain a middle-class way of life for its members: "When you have to take our calculator to see if you can afford guitar lessons for your kid, that's not middle class".

Huffington Post

By the 1950s, he was striving for a plainer and more directly conversational manner and a less clotted language.

The Economist

Yet the culinary calamity suggested by the room, not to mention a menu striving perhaps too hard to avoid pretension (in the "plain, ­ordinary, boring" section is "WD40… Our chicken liver pâté is a good starter – geddit?"), never came.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They farmed, worshiped and strove to lead lives that were, in their words, "plain and simple".

The New York Times - Arts

Authors should strive to minimize the use of jargon, and introduce technical terms in plain or previously defined language.

SEP

This note of mad spiritual striving rings out in all his words, and both Scurr and Andress make it plain that, whatever else he may have been, Robespierre was never a rationalist.

The New Yorker

While the Muirs strive to come to terms with Felice's disappearance, sifting through anger, resentment and plain hard work, after five long years, they are dazed and depleted, victims of her absence.

The New York Times - Books

Do not go to a church because you are comfortable there, plain and simply, choose a church that doesn't just teach messages on Sundays but follows and strives to be like Jesus Christ - our Lord and Savior.

WikiHow

Historians are often fascinated by how scientists strive to cleanly differentiate between legitimate scientific inquiry, on the one hand, and "pseudo", "pathological", or just plain "bad" science, on the other.

The Guardian

When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw, The line too labours, and the words move slow; Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o'er th' unbending corn, and skims along the main.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's the plain plain plain truth.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain striving" when you want to emphasize the simplicity and lack of pretension in someone's efforts. It suggests a direct and honest approach to achieving a goal.

Common error

Avoid using "plain striving" too frequently, as it can sound somewhat awkward. Opt for more common and natural-sounding alternatives like "simple effort" or "honest attempt" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain striving" functions as a noun phrase where "plain" modifies the noun "striving". It describes the nature of the effort being made, emphasizing its simplicity and lack of embellishment. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plain striving" is a grammatically correct but infrequent phrase used to describe an effort characterized by simplicity and sincerity. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it is advisable to consider more common alternatives like "simple effort" or "honest attempt" to ensure natural-sounding language. Due to its limited real-world usage, understanding the nuance it conveys is key to using it appropriately. When writing, remember to emphasize a direct and honest approach to achieving a goal if you do decide to use "plain striving".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honest striving

Highlights the integrity and sincerity of the striving.

simple effort

Emphasizes the simplicity of the effort, rather than the striving itself.

unadorned effort

Focuses on the lack of embellishment in the effort.

sincere endeavor

Focuses on the genuine nature of the attempt or effort.

basic endeavor

Highlights the fundamental nature of the attempt.

modest aspiration

Underscores the limited scope or ambition of the goal.

uncomplicated pursuit

Stresses the straightforward nature of the pursuit.

earnest attempt

Highlights the sincerity and seriousness of the attempt.

straightforward ambition

Focuses on the clear and direct nature of the ambition.

genuine exertion

Emphasizes the real effort being put forth.

FAQs

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

You can use "plain striving" to describe an effort that is straightforward and without unnecessary complexity. For example: "Despite the challenges, her "plain striving" for success was evident in her dedication."

What are some alternatives to "plain striving"?

Alternatives include "simple effort", "honest attempt", or "genuine exertion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "plain striving" a common phrase?

The phrase "plain striving" is not very common. It is grammatically correct, but there are more frequently used alternatives that might sound more natural in certain contexts.

What is the difference between "plain striving" and "simple effort"?

"Plain striving" emphasizes the straightforward and unadorned nature of the effort, while "simple effort" focuses on the lack of complexity in the attempt. The two are similar, but "plain striving" can also imply a sense of earnestness or sincerity.