something to strive for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something to strive for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a goal or aspiration that motivates someone to work hard or improve themselves. Example: "Achieving a healthy work-life balance is something to strive for in today's fast-paced world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"As if being typical were something to strive for".

The New Yorker

I sat down again with something to strive for.

The Guardian - Travel

It gives them such joy, something to strive for.

The Guardian - Music

There's something to strive for, girls at home.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But web users' seemingly insatiable appetite for vicious espresso machines give him something to strive for.

The Economist

He wants the next generation to have something to strive for.

The New York Times

That's something to strive for.' I'm not shy anymore like I used to be.

The New York Times - Sports

"I like training like I'm second anyway, because it's something to strive for," Gatlin said.

The New York Times - Sports

The new tier "gives them something to strive for," said Jeff Robertson, vice president of loyalty programs at Delta.

The New York Times

He is inviting some of the region's best-known artists to contribute and give local teenagers something to strive for.

The New York Times

"We set the benchmark last year, and now we have something to strive for," center Dusty Zeigler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining goals, clarify what the 'something' is, how you intend to strive, and what success will look like.

Common error

While widely accepted, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "a goal to achieve" or "an objective to pursue" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "something to strive for" is to act as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a complement within a sentence. It identifies a specific aim or ambition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something to strive for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a goal or ambition that motivates effort and improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, use it to convey a sense of positive ambition, but consider more precise alternatives in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Related phrases include "something to aim for" and "a goal to pursue". Remember to emphasize the motivational aspect of the phrase and clarify the specifics of the goal when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something to work toward

Focuses on the effort and progress made towards a specific goal.

something to aim for

Emphasizes direction and intention towards a target.

something to aspire to

Highlights the ambition and desire to achieve something great.

a goal to pursue

Stresses the active chase and commitment to a specific objective.

a target to reach

Focuses on attaining a specific level or standard.

an objective to accomplish

Highlights the completion and fulfillment of a task or aim.

an ideal to chase

Suggests pursuing a perfect or ultimate standard.

a vision to realize

Emphasizes the transformation of a concept into reality.

a dream to fulfill

Highlights the realization of a long-held ambition or aspiration.

a standard to uphold

Focuses on maintaining a consistent level of quality or behavior.

FAQs

What does "something to strive for" mean?

The phrase "something to strive for" refers to a goal, ambition, or aspiration that motivates someone to work hard, improve themselves, and make progress.

What can I say instead of "something to strive for"?

You can use alternatives like "something to aim for", "something to work toward", or "a goal to pursue" depending on the context.

How to use "something to strive for" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Achieving a healthy work-life balance is "something to strive for" in today's fast-paced world." The phrase is generally used to denote a desirable objective.

Is "something to strive for" formal or informal?

The phrase "something to strive for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, more precise alternatives may be preferred.