strength

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'strength' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe physical power, or courage, or moral fortitude. For example: She drew on her inner strength to make it through the difficult times.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The strength of feeling in the party was highlighted on Sunday when 20 current and former Tory constituency association chairmen delivered a letter to No 10 warning that the bill would inflict "significant damage" to the party in the runup to the next election.

The Guardian

Women seem particularly attuned to seeking out not partners but rehabilitation projects, though there are plenty of men who reprise the pillar of strength routine when they could do with support themselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His selection of Andy Carroll was justified with the opening goal and, though Olof Mellberg's double reminds us this is still very much a work in progress, England have put themselves in a position of strength going into their final game in Donetsk on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

We ask you to show the Belarusian people that the courage and strength you show in your sport is not blind, and to join them by demonstrating your opposition a regime that violates human rights.

The Guardian

We should show our own strength and belief in the values of democracy and tolerance, and above all we should demonstrate that the future, however hard the path to it is, does not, and never will, belong to fanatics but will be with those who believe that we should live in peace with each other, whatever our race, nation, colour or religion.

The Guardian

Related: Why Slack is worth $1bn: it's trying to change how we work "Our strength and our biggest weakness is that we've got this large, very vocal and very passionate user group.

The Guardian - Tech

Chelsea in cruise-control look so commanding and cohesive; they have a strength whatever the personnel.

The Guardian - Sport

Essentially, like Michael Fish and the hurricane, I underestimated the strength of the 1970s revival we are experiencing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We vertebrates must have the strength of character and resolve to make sure that our students are nurtured and stimulated.

The Guardian

Back to full strength, though, they had little trouble in their play-off against Turkey – a 7-3 win set up a last-eight tie against Yugoslavia.

The Guardian - Sport

Herberger, with one eye on the play-off and the other, perhaps, on keeping the true strength of his side under wraps, named only four of the side who had played in the opening game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "resilience", "fortitude", or "power" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "strength" when a more precise term like "effectiveness", "influence", or "impact" would better convey the intended meaning in abstract or conceptual discussions.

Linguistic Context

The word "strength" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the quality of being strong, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. As Ludwig confirms, it is used to describe positive attributes, intensity, and resilience. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing physical power, emotional fortitude, and the effectiveness of arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Opinion

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "strength" is a versatile noun used to describe physical power, emotional fortitude, or the effectiveness of something. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various domains, including news, sports, and lifestyle. While its formality is neutral, it's crucial to use "strength" precisely, avoiding overuse in abstract contexts where more specific terms might be suitable. The examples from Ludwig showcase the diverse applications of "strength", highlighting its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

power

Emphasizes the capacity to exert force or influence.

force

Highlights the intensity or impact exerted.

might

Suggests considerable power or influence.

potency

Focuses on the effectiveness or capacity to produce a result.

resilience

Highlights the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

fortitude

Emphasizes courage in pain or adversity.

tenacity

Suggests persistence and determination.

durability

Focuses on the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

stamina

Highlights the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.

capability

Emphasizes the ability or capacity to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "strength" in a sentence?

You can use "strength" to describe physical power ("He demonstrated great strength in lifting the weights"), emotional resilience ("She showed remarkable strength during the crisis"), or the effectiveness of something ("The strength of their argument was undeniable").

What are some synonyms for "strength"?

Depending on the context, you can use "power", "force", "resilience", "fortitude", or "potency" as alternatives to "strength".

Is it correct to say "the strength of the team is their unity"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It highlights that the team's unity is their key advantage or asset.

What's the difference between "strength" and "power"?

"Strength" often refers to the capacity to withstand force or pressure, while "power" refers to the ability to exert force or influence. For example, a material might have great strength to resist breaking, while a leader might have great power to influence decisions.